Slovakia will not support new European Union sanctions against Russia if they harm its national interests. This was stated by Prime Minister Robert Fico on Sunday, after the parliament in Bratislava adopted a resolution calling on the government not to support additional restrictive measures, reports "Reuters".
"If any sanction would harm us, I will never vote for it," Fico stressed at a press conference broadcast on his party's YouTube channel. He described the parliamentary resolution as a "political instrument with a clear message", albeit non-binding.
Slovakia, a member of NATO and the EU, has openly distanced itself from the West's tougher stance on Russia since Fico and his left-wing nationalist coalition took power. The government has already suspended official military aid to Ukraine, and the prime minister has repeatedly said that sanctions are hurting the European economy more than Russia.
The new resolution, passed with a slim quorum in parliament, calls on government members not to support new sanctions or trade restrictions against Moscow. According to Fico, a particularly sensitive issue is the possible cessation of imports of Russian fuel for Slovakia's nuclear power plants.
"I am interested in Slovakia being a constructive participant in the European Union, but not at the expense of its own interests," the prime minister said.
Despite its critical rhetoric, Slovakia has not blocked a single sanctions package so far, including the 17th, adopted in May, aimed at Russia's so-called "shadow fleet". But the country, like Hungary, continues to rely on Russian energy carriers and consistently opposes sanctions affecting the gas and nuclear sectors.
Fico's statement reinforces Bratislava's position as one of the EU countries insisting on a pragmatic approach to sanctions policy towards Russia, especially when it affects key energy interests.