Slovakia files lawsuit against EU ban on Russian Gas Imports

Robert Fico, Slovakia's Prime Minister, said that the country will challenge the European Union?decision taken by a qualified majority to ban Russian gas imports.

Slovakia and Hungary were both against the ban on Russian gas imports.

The EU wanted to ensure that the ban would be supported by a majority of countries. This allowed it to overcome the opposition of both countries who are heavily dependent on Russian gas and oil, and want to maintain strong ties with Moscow.

Fico announced on Tuesday that Slovakia will file its own lawsuit, coordinating with its neighbor.

Fico said at a press conference that "we will object to the violation of the principles of subsidiarity, and proportionality".

He did not specify when Slovakia would bring its lawsuit.

SLOVAKIA CALL IT "ENERGY SUICIDES" The EU has supported Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in 2022, and wants to reduce funding for Russia's military machine. Fico has criticised EU's military aid. Fico has called EU plans for stopping Russian gas flows "energy suicide" and says the stoppage will cost Slovakia as much as 500 million euros per year. The EU has agreed to stop importing Russian liquefied gas this year, and to end pipeline gas imports in 2027. This agreement could be extended to November 1, 2027 if the country struggles to fill its storage caverns before winter. Fico stated, "I hope by the time (of this ban), the war will have ended and we'll all be able to see sense." Reporting by Jason Hovet, Prague. Editing by Tomaszjanowski.

(source: Reuters)