sanctions against Russia if the Union backs down on the issue of internal combustion engines and energy aid.

This was announced by Prime Minister Robert Fico. He told the National Council's European Affairs Committee that the European Commission had promised, before Thursday's European Council meeting, a review of restrictions on the production of cars with combustion engines and greater emphasis on energy assistance for countries such as Slovakia and Hungary.

According to Fico, Slovakia will not block the 19th package of sanctions against Russia because its content does not fundamentally concern Slovakia, but he wanted to use it as a"good tool for negotiations".

Slovakia remained the last state to block the adoption of further sanctions against Russia, and Austria also backed down over the weekend.

Fico will also represent Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Brussels on Thursday. Orbán does not want the Hungarian vote to be added to the summit results regarding Ukraine, but he will not block the package. (SME)