Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has sharply criticized the European Union's plan to stop imports of Russian natural gas by the end of 2027, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The European Commission said it would present a detailed plan next month. The commission aims to ban new gas contracts with Russia by the end of this year and gradually terminate existing contracts within the EU by the end of 2027.
Fico said the plan was "absolutely unacceptable" for Slovakia and stressed that his government was ready to veto it. According to him, all Slovak representatives in the negotiations at the EU level will work actively to block the initiative.
He warned that the cessation of supplies from Russia would lead to a sharp increase in gas prices and would harm both Slovakia and the other EU countries. Slovakia has a current contract for the supply of Russian gas, valid until 2034. Fico added that his country would insist on compensation if the EU imposes the plan.
The Slovak prime minister also categorically rejected the idea of ending the import of oil and nuclear fuel from Russia.
Hungary and Slovakia are expected to take a firm position against the European Commission's proposals.