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Slovak PM Urges EU to Lift Russia Sanctions, Resume Energy Dialogue

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called on the European Union to immediately resume dialogue with Russia and lift sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports. He made the appeal following a phone call with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, criticizing the European Commission's approach as "ideological blindness." Both countries are facing oil delivery disruptions via the Druzhba pipeline through Ukraine, heightening regional tensions. Orban has separately announced Hungary will gradually halt gas supplies to Ukraine in retaliation for the blocked oil deliveries.

Key Points: Slovakia's Fico Calls for EU to End Russia Energy Sanctions

  • Call to lift EU energy sanctions on Russia
  • Push to restart Druzhba pipeline operations
  • Criticism of EC's "ideological blindness"
  • Coordination with Hungary on energy crisis
  • Warning over regional supply disruptions
2 min read

Slovak PM calls for EU dialogue with Russia, lifting gas, oil sanctions

Slovak PM Robert Fico demands EU lift "senseless" oil and gas sanctions on Russia and restart dialogue to secure energy supplies after talks with Orban.

"The EU... should immediately resume dialogue with Russia - Robert Fico"

Bratislava, April 5

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called on the European Union to resume dialogue with Russia and lift sanctions on Russian energy raw materials, after holding a phone call with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, local media STVR reported.

"The EU, and especially the EC (the European Commission), should immediately resume dialogue with Russia and ensure such a political and legal environment that individual member states and the EU as a whole replenish the missing gas and oil reserves and enable the supply of these strategic raw materials from all possible sources and directions, including Russia," Fico said in a post on social media on Saturday (local time).

He urged the "senseless sanctions" banning gas and oil imports from Russia to be lifted, and called for "decisive steps" to resume the operation of the Druzhba pipeline, reports Xinhua, quoting STVR media.

According to Fico, the phone call with Orban confirmed that the huge energy crisis cannot be tackled only at the national level. Fico said the governments of Slovakia and Hungary are protecting national economies and their citizens from the "ideological blindness and incompetence" of the EC.

Hungary and Slovakia have recently faced disruptions in oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian crude oil to Central Europe via Ukraine.

The situation has heightened tensions between the two countries and Ukraine, while raising concerns about the potential impact on regional energy supplies.

Meanwhile, earlier in March, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that his government would gradually halt gas supplies to Ukraine, citing what he described as a continued blockade of crude oil deliveries to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline.

In a video message posted on social media ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting, Orban said Ukraine has been blocking the pipeline for around 30 days.

"As long as Ukraine does not supply oil, it will not receive gas from Hungary," he said, adding that Ukraine had targeted infrastructure linked to Hungary's southern gas supply route.

Orban said that Hungary would retain gas volumes domestically and increase storage levels to safeguard its own energy security.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting perspective. From an outsider's view, it seems the unity of the EU is being tested. Slovakia and Hungary are putting their citizens' immediate needs first, which is understandable, but it weakens the collective stance against aggression.
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Priyanka N
Completely agree with PM Fico. The so-called "ideological blindness" in Brussels is causing real suffering for ordinary families facing high bills. India made the right choice by continuing to buy Russian oil. Europe needs to wake up and do the same for its energy security.
A
Aman W
While I understand the economic pressure, we must also think of the moral position. Lifting sanctions now would be a huge victory for Russia. There has to be a middle path - maybe a structured, temporary relief for certain nations without fully lifting the sanctions? 🤔
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Vikram M
This is the reality of geopolitics. When winter comes and factories shut down, ideology takes a back seat. Hungary and Slovakia are just stating the obvious. The EU's policy was not well-planned. India's foreign policy of maintaining dialogue with all sides seems wiser every day.
K
Kriti O
Orban's tit-for-tat move with Ukraine (no oil = no gas) shows how messy this has become. It's like a neighborhood quarrel affecting everyone. Hope they find a diplomatic solution soon. Energy should not be used as a weapon between nations.

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