Slovakia requires gas exemption, threatening EU Russia sanctions

Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico is demanding a legal exemption to continue buying Russian gas until 2034 to lift his veto on new EU sanctions against Russia. This demand threatens to derail the sanctions package. Fico rejected reassurances from the European Commission, deeming them insufficient. He seeks the exemption due to concerns about the phase-out of Russian fossil fuels and potential lawsuits from Gazprom. The EU is eager to approve the sanctions to pressure Russia. The EU aims to phase out Russian fossil fuels by 2027, which Slovakia opposes. The situation has escalated, with other EU leaders attempting to mediate. The US has also threatened tariffs on Russia and its trading partners.