Slovakia threatens to block latest EU Russia sanctions over energy costs, auto woes

Slovak prime minister Robert Fico said he would refuse to support tougher EU energy sanctions against Russia unless the bloc first addresses soaring energy costs and mounting pressures on Europe's car manufacturing industry, linking sanctions policy to broader economic concerns.

"I refuse that these important questions are dealt with in the draft conclusions with generalized phrases when help for Ukraine and support for the [Russian-Ukraine] war are accompanied by detailed conclusions and positions," Fico said in a statement late Oct. 15.

Fico said he was disappointed to see the upcoming EU Council again dealing primarily with Ukraine and not the "significant economic and political problems facing the EU."

This comes as permanent representatives to the European Council are continuing to seek agreement over the EU's proposed 19th package of sanctions against Moscow.

Among several restrictions in the proposed sanctions is a ban on Russian LNG imports from the start of 2027. It also strengthens measures against Russia's shadow oil tanker fleet with the inclusion of 118 additional vessels, bringing the total to more than 560.

Slovakia is prepared to table its own more specific and stronger conclusions on these matters at the council, Fico said.

Fico earlier pointed out in a Bratislava conference that the auto sector represents 10% of Slovakia's GDP and around 40% of its exports.

Slovakia previously blocked the previous 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia in a move to win concessions over European Commission moves to end all EU energy dependence on Russia. Fico eventually lifted his veto on the sanctions, which require unanimous backing from all EU states, after promises to deal with some of Slovakia's concerns.

Slovakia is dependent on Russian gas supplies for most of its national consumption. These are now shipped from Russia via the Turkstream pipeline to the Balkans and Hungary following the shutdown of Ukraine gas transit at the start of the year. Slovakia also relies on oil pipeline supplies from Russia and Russian nuclear fuel for five reactors generating most of the country's electricity.