EU poised to agree new Russia sanctions, as Slovakia backs down
Slovak PM Robert Fico appears to be satisfied he's got enough concessions on green laws from his EU counterparts
Slovakia has dropped its opposition to the EU’s latest round of sanctions against Russia, removing the last hurdle in the way of the 19th package.
The Danish presidency of the Council confirmed on Wednesday evening that Bratislava removed its opposition, triggering a written procedure that should lead to its formal adoption. Unless objections arise, the package will be approved by 8 a.m. tomorrow.
The 19th package targets Moscow’s energy revenues with a phased LNG import ban, cracks down on its shadow oil fleet and crypto dealings, and blacklists new banks and entities in Russia, China, and Central Asia. It also widens export bans on dual-use goods and tech, restricts services like AI and tourism, and curbs Russian diplomats’ movement across the EU.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico – who earlier on Wednesday was saying his country’s approval depended on getting concessions on energy prices, emission allowances and support for the car industry – appears to have secured enough reassurances from Brussels to back down.
Earlier in the day, he told lawmakers that “Slovak pressure” had already yielded results in the summit’s draft conclusions on energy and industrial competitiveness. The prime minister was also expected to discuss the matter with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz later on Wednesday.
Slovak PM Fico open to backing 19th Russia sanctions package – with conditions
BRATISLAVA – Slovakia may lift its veto on the EU’s 19th sanctions package against Russia,…
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The move follows tense negotiations in which Slovakia stood alone in blocking the new sanctions package, meant to tighten restrictions on Russia’s war economy.
While Hungary remains highly reluctant to put fresh sanctions on Russia, it is not threatening to hold up this package.
Fico, who has repeatedly criticised EU support for Kyiv, framed the standoff as a fight to protect Slovak industry and households from the economic fallout of the war and the bloc’s climate policies.
Slovakia also stalled the approval of the previous sanctions package back in July, before backing down.
EU leaders will meet on Thursday to discuss the financing needs for Ukraine and Europe’s defence. Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be in Brussels with them.
EU foreign affairs ministers already started discussing what could be included in the 20th sanctions package when they met in Luxembourg on Monday.
UPDATE: This article was updated with more information about what the 19th sanctions package contains.
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