Slovak parliament urges government to oppose new Russia sanctions
Slovakia's parliament passed a resolution on June 5 urging the government to oppose any new international sanctions or trade restrictions against Russia, citing alleged negative economic impacts, Slovak news outlet Noviny reported.
The non-binding resolution argues that the sanctions imposed in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine have driven up energy prices, disrupted supply chains, and harmed Slovak industry.
The resolution calls on government ministers to 'defend national economic interests' in international forums and resist further punitive measures targeting Moscow.
The motion was introduced by the far-right Slovak National Party (SNS) and passed with the support of 51 of the 76 lawmakers present.
All SNS deputies backed the measure, along with most members of Prime Minister Robert Fico's left-wing Smer-SD party, several from the coalition partner Hlas-SD, and some independents.
Only one Hlas-SD lawmaker, Jan Ferencak, voted against the resolution; 23 others from the same party abstained. Opposition lawmakers boycotted the vote entirely.
While Fico's Smer party has drawn criticism for its increasingly pro-Russian rhetoric, the SNS promotes a "pan-Slavic brotherhood" narrative that aligns closely with Kremlin talking points.
The resolution does not carry legal force but sends a political signal that could complicate Brussels' efforts to maintain consensus on sanctions.
EU foreign policy decisions, including sanctions, require unanimous approval by all member states. A Slovak veto could force concessions or delay enforcement in future rounds.
Since taking office in 2023, Fico has reversed Slovakia's previous pro-Ukraine policy, ending military aid to Kyiv and questioning the value of EU sanctions on Russia.
The EU's sanctions regime currently targets over 2,400 Russian individuals and entities involved in the war, as well as key sectors of the Russian economy, including energy, finance, defense, and technology.
Read also: Hiding in plain sight — how Russia's cultural centers continue to operate in US, Europe despite espionage claims
We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
22 minutes ago
- New York Times
Canada coach Jesse Marsch condemns U.S. treatment, ‘lack of respect' for Ukraine
Canada men's national team coach Jesse Marsch offered his support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian national team on Friday while also taking aim once again at United States President Donald Trump. 'As an American, the treatment that we have given the President of the Ukraine and the lack of respect really bothers me. Without having to know what it's like to go through something like what these players, this coach and this federation has been through, I am just really excited to be able to show our support,' Marsch said in his opening remarks at a Friday morning event with the Canada Ukraine Foundation. Advertisement Marsch is likely referencing a tense and fiery exchange between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Feb. 28 that made global headlines. Marsch has previously taken aim at Trump, saying in February that Trump should 'lay off the ridiculous rhetoric about Canada being the 51st state; as an American, I'm ashamed of the arrogance and disregard we've shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies.' Due to the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian national team is required to play its matches in neutral venues. 'If you think about the challenges that the players from Ukraine have been through, they haven't played a home match in several years, they've had to play World Cup qualifiers on foreign soil, they've had players playing professionally and internationally with the concern of the safety of their country and their family and their friends,' Marsch said. 'In general, the ability for us to have empathy and sympathy for everything that their team, their nation, their team, their players have gone through is really important at a time like this.' Ukraine's upcoming home matches in UEFA Group D of 2026 World Cup qualification do not yet have a location. 'As the Canadian national team coach, to show how much we are behind them, we are with them, that we want to do everything we can,' Marsch said, noting that one of the beauties of international football is that it 'can take on so much more than what the sport is.' Ukraine is in Toronto to play Canada in the Canadian Shield friendly tournament on Saturday. Ukraine will play its second match of the Canadian Shield friendly tournament on Tuesday against New Zealand, while Canada plays Ivory Coast also on Tuesday. 'It's really a pleasure and an honour to show that friendship and respect are at the core of everything we try to do in this sport,' Marsch said.
CNN
35 minutes ago
- CNN
Ian Bremmer: we've not seen full extent of Putin's retaliation for drone strike
Eurasia Group President Ian Bremmer tells CNN's Wolf Blitzer that Putin is not done with his retaliation for Ukraine's devastating drone strike against Russian military airfields.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ukraine completes preparations to join EU's roam like at home zone
The European Commission received formal notification from Ukraine confirming the completion of all legislative procedures required to join the EU's Roam Like at Home zone. Source: Rikard Jozwiak, an editor at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, as reported by European Pravda Details: Moldova is expected to submit a similar notification soon, with both countries set to join the roaming-free zone simultaneously. According to Jozwiak, Ukraine and Moldova will become part of the EU roaming zone from 1 January 2026. The roaming zone encompasses all 27 EU member states, as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This marks the first time the zone will expand to include candidate countries for EU membership. "I know that the word 'historic' is overused these days but this is exactly that," Jozwiak said. On 2 June 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the Law of Ukraine On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on the Implementation of the European Union's Legislation on Electronic Communications (reg. No. 12150). The European Commission is now expected to initiate a decision on mutual provision of the internal market regime for roaming between the EU and Ukraine, effectively enabling full accession to the roam like at home policy. Once implemented, Ukrainians will be able to use roaming services at domestic tariff rates when travelling in EU countries, with no variation in costs or conditions based on the country of residence within the EU. Background: Since Russia's war of aggression began, millions of Ukrainians in the EU have communicated with relatives in Ukraine without additional roaming charges, thanks to agreements between operators. This temporary arrangement, prompted by the displacement of many Ukrainians to European countries, was last extended in July 2024 for one year. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
