Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) published a letter from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on social media. These are guarantees that the European Commission wants to give Slovakia if it supports the 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions. Fico sent it to the chairmen of relevant political parties.

"I am presenting to the public an approved letter in which the European Commission responds to our reservations about the proposal to stop Russian gas supplies after 1.1.2028. The European Commission can push through its proposal even without Slovakia, because it does not have a veto right. The European Commission is offering us certain guarantees only because we refuse to support the 18th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, which requires unanimity," the prime minister wrote. He added that the letter was also delivered to the chairmen of all relevant political parties.

"Their reaction is that the European Commission's guarantees for the Slovak Republic are insufficient, or even labeled as NOTHING. They did not disappoint. Being in favor of the 18th sanctions package and also for stopping Russian gas from 2028 cannot be commented on in any way, only that the opposition is fulfilling its political program - stupidly causing harm at all costs," Fico responded.

According to the Prime Minister, the government coalition rejects the European Commission's"imbecile proposal" to stop Russian gas flows from 2028. However, it is ready to negotiate guarantees that will ensure the Slovak Republic a certain comfort in gas supplies after 2028."Under the given circumstances, the European Commission should sort out its favorites in the opposition, and the prime ministers of the EU member states who openly support it should do the same," the Prime Minister did not spare himself in criticism.

Fico informed that the representative of the Slovak Republic was instructed to request a postponement of the vote on the 18th sanctions package. He cited the position of the Slovak political scene as the reason."The best solution to the situation would be to grant Slovakia an exception allowing it to fulfill the contract with Russia's Gazprom until its end in 2034, which the European Commission currently rejects in principle, because by enforcing this proposal it would deny the essence of the anti-Russian sanctions," concluded Fico.

Representatives of the Slovak opposition criticized Prime Minister Fico for Russian gas and the 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions. The chairman of Progressive Slovakia Michal Šimečka said that"Fico did not negotiate anything for Slovakia in Brussels, he only damaged our name, brought shame to the country and finally declared capitulation." According to him, the prime minister failed and is trying to drag the opposition into the game ex post in order to deceive his voters. The Freedom and Solidarity Party (SaS) said that Fico blackmailed the EC and is trying to drag the opposition into this game as well.

As follows from the letter from the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Slovakia has received several guarantees. The president even wrote to Robert Fico that she fully identifies with his goals of ensuring affordable and safe energy for all EU citizens and businesses."In this context, I am aware of the national specificities and challenges faced by Member States. This is particularly important in the context of our shared goal of phasing out Russian fossil fuels from our energy system," Ursula von der Leyen wrote.

The European Commission should clarify the trigger mechanisms and criteria for the so-called"emergency break" within the framework of the guarantees, while recognising the risk of extreme price spikes together with the risks to security of supply related to gas shortages on the market or infrastructure bottlenecks.

The Commission should also develop and implement, using appropriate legal measures, a satisfactory and legally compatible solution to cross-border charges in the oil and gas sector for Slovakia or the region, aimed at reducing costs and taking into account the specific situation of Slovakia."Where appropriate, the newly established Energy Union Working Group will also address this issue within the regional dimension. At the same time, the Commission will further explore and facilitate the implementation of solutions and options to address the problems related to cross-border gas charges in order to minimise any negative impacts resulting from the phasing out of Russian gas supplies," Ursula von der Leyen added in the letter.

The European Commission is to clarify the mechanisms for using spot operations that allow for the full implementation of existing long-term contracts, and to allow amendments to these contracts during the transitional phase with the aim of introducing more favorable conditions for Slovakia.

"We will assist Slovakia and cooperate with it on new and existing measures aimed at increasing energy security and reducing end-user energy prices in the areas of electricity and gas, including through accelerated processing of state aid schemes," Ursula von der Leyen writes in the letter.

According to her, the Commission is ready to discuss legal matters with Slovakia and, if necessary, intervene during various potential legal disputes arising from the implementation of the Regulation on the phasing out of Russian gas imports.

Last but not least, the European Commission wants to prepare, together with Slovakia, possible solutions for the use of EU funds, in particular in the event of risks of cancellation of commitments, for energy-related purposes, to compensate for negative impacts on households and industry, and to support diversification efforts, in accordance with the applicable rules.

"The Commission intends to positively assess these issues, subject to proper justification, if requested by Slovakia in the legislative process, given its specific challenges associated with the gradual phasing out of Russian gas supplies," stated Ursula von der Leyen.

According to Lipavský, a shift could occur on Wednesday in Slovakia's blocking of sanctions

In connection with Slovakia's blocking of the 18th package of EU anti-Russian sanctions, a shift could occur on Wednesday, according to Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. Lipavský said this on Tuesday afternoon during a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, a TASR reporter reports.

According to the Czech minister, Slovakia was put under considerable pressure on this issue at Tuesday's ministerial meeting."There could be some progress tomorrow, so I believe that the situation will be resolved. So this is where my optimism comes from. Of course, I cannot speak for what the European Commission will do and how the Slovak side will behave," said Lipavský. He believes that a constructive solution will be found in this matter.

Lipavský has no information about any other states blocking the sanctions package. According to him, Hungary's blocking is linked to support for the Slovak position.