Slovakia will support sanctions against Russia, but there is a condition

Slovakia is not against the new, 18th package of sanctions by the European Union against Russia – however, only under certain conditions.

This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia Juraj Blanar, Euractiv reports.

According to Blanar, the Slovak side has already studied the preliminary content of the package and currently sees no threats to the national economy.

“If the restrictions do not hurt Slovakia, we are ready to support them,” the minister said after the EU Council meeting in Brussels.

However, the final decision has not yet been made. Slovakia wants guarantees: in particular, that the country will not be left alone with the risks that may arise in connection with the rejection of Russian energy resources. There are also financial consequences – possible arbitration claims from Moscow could cost Bratislava up to 20 billion euros, warns Blanar.

He emphasized that Slovakia expects concrete support from the European Union to compensate for potential losses and legal risks that may arise after the termination of energy contracts with Russia.

Interestingly, this position came shortly after a loud statement by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who openly opposed the new sanctions package. Szijjártó noted that Hungary and Slovakia have a common position on this issue — but, as we can see, Bratislava leaves itself room for maneuver.

Recall, the day before, Hungary and Slovakia blocked the adoption of the new 18th package of sanctions by the European Union against Russia.

As previously reported, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that his country would block any European Union sanctions against Russia if they threatened national interests.

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