Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) did not negotiate anything for Slovakia in Brussels, he only brought shame to the country and finally declared capitulation. The chairman of the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) Michal Šimečka responded to the letter sent by the prime minister. He added that the PS supports the joint action of the EU countries.

"He failed and is now trying to ex post involve the opposition in the game in order to deceive his voters. We will not fall for such a cheap trick. The Socialist Party supports joint action by EU countries. Only joint European action will guarantee the security and prosperity of Slovakia in the face of Russian aggression and blackmail. If he wants to contribute to the continuation of the gas trade, he should call on Putin to end the war and make peace," said Šimečka.

Challenges to the Prime Minister

He added that the prime minister should have ended dependence on Russian gas a long time ago, ensured supplies from safe sources, and negotiated the best possible prices for Slovakia.

At a press conference on Tuesday, the Socialist Party also commented on the negotiations on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, which the ministers are discussing in Brussels. According to Ivan Korčok (PS), the non-participation of Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD) is an embarrassment."This ministerial negotiation is still ongoing, but we know that it will be a continuation of the embarrassment that is taking place at the behest of the Slovak government, which, unfortunately, is not negotiating, I have to say it like it is, but is blackmailing the whole of Europe and the European Union by blocking the adoption of the 18th package of sanctions," said Korčok.

According to the PS, the European Commission (EC) is not going to grant Slovakia an exception when it comes to stopping gas supplies from Russia."The EC will provide some kind of assistance group, where it will provide assistance to Slovakia so that it can better adapt, so that it can monitor some progress on how we will be able to cut ourselves off from Russian gas," added Ivan Štefunko (PS).

The Prime Minister announced on Monday (July 14) that tough negotiations with European officials are nearing completion and that a written draft of guarantees regarding the planned shutdown of Russian gas supplies to the EU, which the European Commission is offering to Slovakia in exchange for voting on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, is on the table. He also said that he is sending the draft to the chairmen of all relevant political parties and is awaiting their comments.