Latest news with #RobertFico
Russia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Russia Today
EU delays vote on new Russia sanctions
EU leaders have opted to postpone discussion of a new package of sanctions against Russia, according to Hungarian news outlet Index. The delay reportedly comes as Budapest and Bratislava oppose the move due to mounting concerns about energy imports. Adopting new sanctions requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states. Hungary and Slovakia have spoken out against more sanctions amid disagreements with Brussels over a proposed plan to phase out Russian energy imports by 2027. The European Commission intends to adopt the proposal using trade law mechanisms that would allow it to bypass vetoes from dissenting member states. The proposed 18th sanctions package was under threat of a veto from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Index reported on Thursday, noting that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had met with him ahead of the EU leaders' summit in Brussels. The talks reportedly failed to produce a compromise, leading to removal of the issue from the agenda, to avoid formal rejection. Fico said earlier that day that Slovakia would not support a new sanctions package and will demand a delay in the vote until his country's concerns over gas supplies after 2027 are resolved. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said earlier this week that Budapest and Bratislava would block adoption of the new sanctions package, also citing the potential ban on purchasing Russian energy. The European Commission unveiled a proposed 18th sanctions package earlier this month, targeting Russian energy exports, infrastructure, and financial institutions. The measures include a ban on future use of the sabotaged Nord Stream pipeline, restrictions on refined products made from Russian crude, and sanctions on 77 vessels allegedly part of Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet,' used to circumvent oil trade restrictions. Speaking at a press conference following the summit in Brussels on Thursday, European Council President Antonio Costa said the '18th package of sanctions is underway.' Reuters, meanwhile, reported—citing two EU officials—that the bloc had agreed to extend previously adopted sanctions for another six months.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Fico Blasts EU ‘For Liking War,' Vetoes Russia Sanctions
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico strongly criticized the EU's proposed 18th sanctions package on Russia, calling previous sanctions ineffective. Speaking in Bratislava, Fico questioned how many more sanctions would be needed before realizing they don't work. He contrasted the EU's approach to Ukraine with its diplomatic pressure in the Iran-Israel conflict, expressing frustration that similar ceasefire efforts weren't made for Ukraine. Fico also denounced bans on Russian officials, calling them meaningless. Slovakia and Hungary jointly blocked the sanctions, opposing the EU's plan to phase out Russian energy by 2027, once again highlighting growing divisions within the bloc.#EUSanctions #RussiaSanctions #EUPolitics #Slovakia #Hungary #Fico #UkraineWar #UkraineConflict #CeasefireNow #PeaceForUkraine Read More
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Slovaks veto Russia sanctions at EU Council
BRUSSELS — Thursday's EU Council 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. — Euronews
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Trump hails ‘great' NATO summit
US President Donald Trump has called NATO's recent summit in The Hague 'great.' Numerous media reports had previously claimed the two-day event was almost solely focused on pleasing the American leader. 'A wonderful day with incredible and caring Leaders,' Trump wrote Truth Social on Thursday, pointing to the NATO members' latest commitment to hike defense spending to 5% of their GDP annually by 2035. He also claimed the meeting earlier this week was 'the most unified and productive in history.' However, not all NATO members agreed to the defense spending hike demanded by Trump. Spain reached a deal with the bloc just days before the summit that excluded it from the 5% target, according to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. He had earlier branded Trump's demand 'not only unreasonable but also counterproductive.' Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also said on Tuesday that his nation 'is capable of meeting NATO's requirements even without a substantial increase in defense spending to 5% of GDP.' He also maintained that Bratislava has 'other priorities in the coming years than armament.' The event was limited to just one working meeting lasting two and a half hours – reportedly because of Trump's dislike for lengthy sessions. The summit was also solely focused on increasing the defense spending of members, one of Trump's key demands on the bloc. After the meeting, the New York Times reported that the Ukraine conflict was pushed 'to the sidelines' of the event as its organizers sought to cast all controversial topics aside. Kiev's membership ambitions – something that used to be at the forefront of NATO discussions over the past years – were barely mentioned at this year's event and not included in the final declaration. Some European officials were also unhappy with the level of flattery used by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to win over Trump during the meeting, according to Politico. 'People are so embarrassed,' one official told the outlet, adding that 'the sucking up was pretty over the top.' Rutte reportedly called Trump 'daddy' during the summit and sent him a gushing message praising the US attack on Iran's nuclear sites ahead of the summit. The US president was quick to post the NATO chief's message online. The White House also shared a clip on social media showing Trump's participation in the summit and accompanied by Usher's song 'Daddy's home'.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Slovakia blocks agreement on new EU sanctions on Russia
Brussels: Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico said Thursday at a European Union summit in Brussels that he is not ready to back a proposal for new sanctions on Russia, 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. 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. 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. (DPA)
