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Slovak Prime Minister commits to aiding Putin in obstructing EU's intent to disapprove Russian gas.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico intends to hinder the implementation of the REPowerEU strategy, a plan that proposes the EU's rejection of gas and other energy sources from Russia.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico plans to prevent the implementation of the REPowerEU strategy,...
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico plans to prevent the implementation of the REPowerEU strategy, which includes the EU's rejection of Russian gas and other energy supplies from the nation.

Slovak Prime Minister commits to aiding Putin in obstructing EU's intent to disapprove Russian gas.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has boldly declared his intentions to thwart the REPowerEU plan, an EU strategy that aims to reject Russian gas and other energy resources. According to a Ukrainian news outlet, LIGA.net, Fico made this statement during a meeting with Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin in Moscow on May 9th.

Fico was unapologetic, stating, "If it takes all 27 countries to agree, we will use our veto power on the ban on imports of all types of energy resources." He further added that if the European Union (EU) were to vote by a majority instead of unanimously, "the great powers will simply make the decisions themselves."

Fico argued vehemently that the EU, particularly Slovakia, is not yet prepared to function without Russian energy. He explained that attempting to introduce fuel from Westinghouse into Slovak nuclear power plants would be impossible.

However, it's worth noting that Ukraine has been successfully using Westinghouse fuel assemblies since 2015 in VVER-1000 reactors, and since 2023 in VVER-440 reactors, similar to those in Slovakia. The stoppage of gas supplies, Fico warned, would cause instability, particularly for Slovak petrochemical plants that are set up to use Russian oil.

In the past, Slovakia has requested a working group to address gas supply concerns following the anticipated end of Russian gas transit through Ukraine. The European Commission has been exploring options to diversify supply, particularly through Azerbaijan. However, there have also been talks regarding potential assistance from the United States in resuming Russian gas sales to the European market.

Despite the frozen energy relations with Russia, the negotiations suggest that Russia's return to the European gas market could play a significant role in reaching a peace agreement with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Europe has significantly reduced its imports of Russian gas, leading to a loss of US$7 billion for Russian energy giant Gazprom last year.

Sources close to the negotiations indicate that Slovakia primarily receives gas from Hungary, which supplies Russian fuel via the TurkStream pipeline. Bratislava and Budapest have been advocating for the resumption of transit through Ukraine, with Slovakia even considering using its veto power to block EU aid to Kyiv if its position is not recognized.

In essence, Slovakia, led by pro-Russia Prime Minister Robert Fico, has threatened to veto certain EU measures concerning aid to Ukraine linked to gas supply concerns and diversification efforts. Slovakia has opposed the EU's plan to halt imports of Russian natural gas, citing economic and energy security concerns. Slovakia also has a gas delivery contract with Russia valid until 2034, and it has indicated it would seek compensation if the plan goes forward. Furthermore, Slovakia has opposed other EU sanctions proposals, rejecting plans to halt imports of oil and nuclear fuel from Russia, and opposing changes to the EU unanimity rule.

  1. The EU's REPowerEU plan, aiming to reject Russian gas and other energy resources, faces opposition from Slovakia, particularly due to Slovakia's economic dependence on Russian energy.
  2. The EU's strategic negotiations with Russia, influenced by Slovakia's pro-Russia Prime Minister Robert Fico, suggest that the return of Russian gas to the European market could potentially play a role in reaching a peace agreement with Vladimir Putin.
  3. Slovakia's veto power, invoked by Prime Minister Fico, could potentially disrupt EU aid to Ukraine and block the EU's diversification efforts, as Slovakia opposes the halt of Russian natural gas imports and other related sanctions.

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