Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the European Union's plan to end Russian gas imports, warning the move could trigger a gas crisis.
This disagreement highlights growing tension between EU energy mandates and the national security concerns of member states reliant on Russian fuel. Fico argues that cutting these supplies without securing alternative routes risks destabilizing the region's energy security.
Fico issued the warning on Friday and made further remarks on Sunday. He said that the current trajectory could provoke a U.S. surcharge on Russian energy supplies.
According to Fico, the Slovak government has filed a complaint against the European Commission's decision to terminate Russian gas imports. He said he is uncertain if a court will reach a decision by 2027 [1].
"According to the decision of the European Commission, Russian gas will end. We have filed a complaint against it," Fico said. "Whether the relevant court will decide by 2027, I do not know, but our official stance is, let's diversify the supply options for all fuels, but also keep open the possibility when it comes to Russian oil."
The Prime Minister said that Slovakia should continue to seek diversification of its energy sources while maintaining the option to import Russian oil. He said that a total ban without viable alternatives could leave the country vulnerable to supply shortages.
Reports on the location of the remarks vary, with some sources placing the Prime Minister in Bratislava and others in Belgrade. Regardless of the venue, Fico maintains that the EU's rigid timeline for ending Russian energy imports ignores the practical realities of infrastructure, and transit routes.
“Russian gas will end. We have filed a complaint against it.”
Fico's challenge to the European Commission represents a strategic push for 'energy pragmatism' over geopolitical alignment. By filing a legal complaint and advocating for the continued possibility of Russian oil imports, Slovakia is signaling that it may resist total decoupling from Russian energy if the economic and infrastructural costs are deemed too high for its domestic stability.
