Why did Robert Fico veto the new EU sanctions on Russia? Money is key
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
New EU sanctions on Russia on hold after opposition from Slovakia
EU leaders gather in Brussels to discuss further support for Ukraine, prolonging existing sanctions and Kiev’s path to EU membership. Slovakia objects to the plans by Brussels to completely stop gas-supply contracts with Russia from the start of 2028. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico said he is not ready to endorse the proposal, citing concerns over Slovakia’s gas imports. The proposed 18th sanctions package, put forward by the European Commission, targets Russia’s financial and energy sectors in response to President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to agree to an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. The European Commission wants to terminate the contract on the grounds of “force majeure,” but Fico had warned that this justification would not hold up in an international court of arbitration, meaning that Slovakia would then be stuck with billions in fines. The EU Commission will visit Slovakia next week in an attempt to find a solution.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways
A new set of European Union sanctions on Russia fell short of the required unanimous backing after Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico said he is not ready to endorse the proposal, citing concerns over Slovakia’s gas imports.
EU leaders gathered in Brussels to discuss further support for Ukraine, including new restrictive measures for Moscow, prolonging existing sanctions and Kiev’s path to EU membership.
The proposed 18th sanctions package, put forward by the European Commission, targets Russia’s financial and energy sectors in response to President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to agree to an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.
New Russia sanctions in limbo due to gas dispute
Ahead of the EU summit, Fico had already threatened to veto the sanctions as he fears repercussions from a separate energy bill. Slovakia objects to the plans by Brussels to completely stop gas-supply contracts with Russia from the start of 2028.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
A meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to resolve the issue was “very constructive and pragmatic,” Fico said in a video message posted on X, but did not find a solution.
Fico fears supply and legal problems. Slovakia has a supply contract with Russia’s Gazprom which is valid until 2034. The European Commission wants to terminate the contract on the grounds of “force majeure.”
However, Fico had warned that this justification would not hold up in an international court of arbitration, meaning that Slovakia would then be stuck with billions in fines.
“This will harm us unless an agreement is reached with the European Commission that would compensate us for all the damage this proposal might cause,” he said.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
“This issue must be resolved first. Let’s define the solution, and only then can we discuss further sanction packages,” Fico added.
The premier also announced that representatives from the commission will visit Slovakia next week in an attempt to find a solution.
Zelensky pleads for continued support from the EU
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged EU leaders to back the new set of measures in an address by video-link.
“Ukraine is ready for a just peace, and Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire,” he said.
“It’s Russia that blocks everything, and this is why pressure must increase,” he added.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
“Sanctions against Russia remain one of the most effective tools for limiting its aggression. What’s needed now is a truly strong 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia.”
EU leaders however endorsed prolonging existing sanctions.
Zelensky also urged leaders to allow Ukraine to go ahead with EU membership talks, a decisions which also requires unanimity, and which is currently blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
“Ukraine is meeting all its commitments for EU accession, and we truly mean it,” Zelensky said.
“What’s needed now is a clear political message that Ukraine is firmly on the European path and that Europe stands by its promises,” he added.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
“If we would integrate Ukraine into the European Union, we would integrate the war,” Orbán said in Brussels.
“We would not like to be together in one community with a country who is [at] war and represents an imminent danger [to] us,” he stressed.
Some leaders ousted their discontent with the stalled process.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda expressed regret that Ukraine cannot move ahead in the accession process despite “putting in a lot of effort and doing quite well in implementing the reforms.”
“One country cannot misuse an instrument of consensus,” he said.
Everyone, including Spain, should reach 5% defence spending, Estonia’s prime minister tells Euronews
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal tells Euronews all European nations need to contribute to the continent’s security. Michal says need to defend NATO territory should be based on solidarity, not just proximity to Russia. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he received an opt-out on the significant demand in defence spending from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. But Michal explained Rutte told him this was not the case. At over 4.5%, Estonia is consistently one of the highest spenders on defence, necessarily so given its history and proximity to Russian. Estonia has pledged to raise defence spending to 5.4% by next year, while the other NATO members have agreed to spend 5% of GDP on security by 2035.
All European nations in NATO need to contribute to the continent’s security and reach the 5% GDP defence spending target, including Spain, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told Euronews in an exclusive interview.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he received an opt-out on the significant demand in defence spending from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. But Michal explained Rutte told him this was not the case.
“(Rutte) said that no, no exemptions. So I would say that Pedro Sánchez will also have to elaborate on how he will fulfil the major criteria,” explained Michel.
Moreover, Michal said, the need to defend NATO territory should be based on solidarity, not just proximity to Russia.
“It’s not only the question of kilometres how far you are from Russia, it’s also about recognising that Europe and NATO work as a team”, he said.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal speaking to Euronews’ Shona Murray in Brussels Euronews
“NATO is only the strongest alliance because everybody contributes and everybody has certain capabilities”, said Michal.
Sánchez said his country — which currently spends 1.5% on defence — could meet the requirements of adequate defence by reaching the original aim of 2% by the end of this year. However, he said spending 5% is not in line with Spain’s “worldview”.
Michal agreed that to meet such a massive investment, the money must be sacrificed from other budgetary priorities.
“We cut spending, we are borrowing. And we also raise taxes”, he said.
“To be honest it’s not always all that popular, but to explain it to people I would say that it’s probably quite simple but because we are doing it for ourselves, for our kids, for a neighbourhood, for our countries”, he said.
At over 4.5%, Estonia is consistently one of the highest spenders on defence, necessarily so given its history and proximity to Russia.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez speaks during a press conference after the plenary session at the NATO summit in The Hague, 25 June, 2025 AP Photo
Michal said the threat from Russia will remain high as long as Russian President Vladimir Putin lives because it is war and conflict that keeps him in control.
“We know our neighbour,” he stated. “For Putin, it’s all about being in power.”
“To be honest, Putin needs conflict like fish needs water because if you don’t have a conflict then probably people in Russia will be asking, where is my son, where’s my husband, where are my assets,” Michal said.
“So to keep everybody under the lead, keep people quiet, keep the regime in power. Putin needs this kind of conflict,” he said.
Estonia has pledged to raise defence spending to 5.4% by next year, while the other 32 NATO members have agreed to spend 5% of GDP on security by 2035.
EU’s 18th package of sanctions against Russia is delayed, Slovakia still vetoes – media
The 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia is being delayed until at least next week. Slovakia categorically disagrees with the new, 18th, package. Prime Minister Robert Fico signed off on putting a reference to the package into the conclusions, but still says he may veto it.
The 18th package of sanctions against Russia is not expected to be approved until next week at the earliest. Slovakia is still vetoing it. – wrote Jozwiak.
Addition
As reported by Politico, Slovakia categorically disagrees with the new, 18th, package of sanctions against Russia. The country’s Prime Minister Robert Fico signed off on putting a reference to the package into the conclusions, but still says he may veto it. “There’s no white smoke yet,” a European diplomat said the night before.
Slovakia threatened to delay the vote on the package, hoping to get a separate proposal banning Russian gas rejected.
Slovak Prime Minister Fico demands postponement of vote on sanctions against Russia: has a demand
Slovakia threatens to veto EU sanctions on Russia over gas contract
Slovakia objects to plans by Brussels to completely stop gas-supply contracts with Russia from the start of 2028. Prime Minister Robert Fico: “Please take this deadly seriously. Bottlenecks may occur and prices will skyrocket” Fico also fears legal problems. Slovakia has a supply contract with Russia’s Gazprom which is valid until 2034.
Slovakia objects to the plans by Brussels to completely stop gas-supply contracts with Russia from the start of 2028.
Unlike Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, however, Fico told reporters in Bratislava that he does agree to other EU projects, including continued financial and military support for Ukraine.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
A complete end to Russian gas imports would harm Slovakia more than Russia, Fico warned. “Please take this deadly seriously. We have no direct access to liquefied natural gas terminals. Bottlenecks may occur and prices will skyrocket,” he said.
Fico also fears legal problems. Slovakia has a supply contract with Russia’s Gazprom which is valid until 2034. The European Commission wants to terminate the contract on the grounds of “force majeure.”
However, Fico warned that this justification would not hold up in an international court of arbitration.
Slovakia would then be stuck with billions in fines.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
Slovakia, an EU and NATO member state bordering Ukraine, is more dependent on Russian raw materials than almost any other country in Europe.
Fico has repeatedly criticized EU sanctions because they would harm Slovakia more than Russia.
Unlike Hungary, however, Slovakia has so far agreed to all the sanctions imposed on Russia. In return, Slovakia, like Hungary and initially also the Czech Republic, was granted an exemption from the sanctions by the EU.
However, this exemption is to be scrapped with the planned new sanctions package.
Slovak prime minister vetoes new Russia sanctions at EU summit
Robert Fico, Slovakia’s prime minister, announced he would maintain his veto on the next round of sanctions against Russia. Fico’s opposition involves a separate matter: the European Commission’s proposed phase-out of Russian fossil fuels. The Commission, however, says the proposed bans would act as “force majeure” to avoid damages in court. Meanwhile, the 27 leaders agreed to disagree on what to do next with the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Thursday’s EU summit suffered a huge setback after Robert Fico, Slovakia’s prime minister, announced he would maintain his veto on the next round of sanctions against Russia, which diplomats hoped to approve on Friday.
Fico’s opposition involves a separate matter: the European Commission’s proposed phase-out of Russian fossil fuels, including oil and gas, which Slovakia, as well as Hungary, continues to be dependent on.
Fico met with Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday morning to discuss his reservations, including his fear that Gazprom, Russia’s gas monopoly, would file a billion-euro lawsuit if his country breaks up its long-term gas contract. The Commission, however, says the proposed bans would act as “force majeure” to avoid damages in court.
But Fico did not seem convinced.
“Therefore, this issue must be resolved first: let’s define the solution, and only then can we discuss further sanctions packages,” Fico said in a video message posted on his Facebook account shortly after 18.00 CET.
“If our proposal to postpone the vote is not accommodated, the Slovak ambassador will receive a clear instruction to veto the adoption of the 18th sanctions package.”
Meanwhile, the 27 leaders agreed to disagree on what to do next with the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which found “indications” that Israel had breached its human rights obligations with its actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The highly anticipated review was requested in May by a group of 17 countries.
Thursday’s summit was the first time that leaders discussed the findings face-to-face. But sharp divisions in the room, from Spain to Germany, prevented any specific outcome.
Instead, leaders asked their foreign ministers to continue the internal process “as appropriate” when they meet in Brussels on 15 July. During that meeting, High Representative Kaja Kallas is expected to present potential follow-up options, even if none of them are likely to gather the necessary qualified majority to move forward.
Exasperation is growing: Slovenia’s prime minister raised the prospect of forming a coalition of the willing to put “real pressure” on Israel if the bloc failed to act as one.
Read Euronews’ blow-by-blow report of how the day developed.