Slovakia's leader rejects an EU plan to halt Russian natural gas imports by the end of 2027

BRATISLAVA – Slovakia’s populist person connected Wednesday blasted a European Union plan to halt imports of Russian earthy state by the extremity of 2027 to deprive President Vladimir Putin of gross that helps substance the warfare successful Ukraine.

The European Commission, the bloc's enforcement branch, volition contiguous a elaborate program adjacent month. It volition question to prohibition caller state contracts with Russia by the extremity of this twelvemonth and signifier retired existing ones inactive successful usage successful the 27-nation EU by the extremity of 2027.

Prime Minister Robert Fico said that the program is “absolutely unacceptable” for Slovakia. He said that his authorities was acceptable to veto it and each Slovak representatives progressive successful the negotiations connected the EU level would enactment to halt it.

Fico said that the determination would beryllium harmful for Slovakia and the full EU, due to the fact that the terms of state volition summation arsenic a result. His state has a state transportation woody with Russia that expires successful 2034, and Fico said that helium would question compensations for damages, if the program proceeds.

The Slovak person besides rejected a connection to halt imports of lipid and atomic substance from Russia to the EU.

Hungary and Slovakia — whose leaders are considered to beryllium Putin’s closest allies successful Europe — person blocked EU subject assistance to Ukraine and person been expected to reason the European Commission’s state plans.

Fico, who is simply a divisive fig astatine location and abroad, returned to powerfulness successful 2003 aft his leftist Smer (Direction) enactment won a parliamentary election connected a pro-Russia and anti-American platform. Known for his pro-Russia views, helium has openly challenged the EU’s policies implicit Ukraine.

He is acceptable to go the lone EU person to question to Moscow for festivities connected Friday marking the 80th day of the decision of Nazi Germany successful World War II. It volition beryllium his 2nd travel to Moscow since December.

His authorities has faced vocal protests against its pro-Russian stance and different policies.

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