Host of sanctions against Russia, Slovakia vetoes within EU

Slovakia confirmed on Wednesday that it will continue to veto the new package of EU sanctions on Russia.

The veto was reaffirmed during a meeting of the ambassadors of member states in Brussels, where the matter of sanctions was brought before for approval but was blocked again.

The package, which is ready to apply after weeks of negotiations, targets Russia's financial and energy sector, including the “North Stream gas pipeline.

Meanwhile, the movement to lower the Russian crude oil limit does not have certain success due to the reluctance of the current US administration.

The diplomatic stalemate comes as Moscow has carried out a series of record attacks with fears and rockets on Ukrainian cities, making the Union's feeling more urgent to tighten Kremlin positions and its military machinery.

In essence, Slovakia does not object to economic restrictions. Its attitude relates to another issue: its proposal for the use of traditional Russian fuels by 2027.

The European Commission released the project in May and presented it to the European Parliament in June, based on the gradual ban on short- and long-term gas contracts.

But Slovakia rejected it, arguing that it would raise prices for consumers, weaken competitiveness and endanger energy security./Periscopi/