Slovakia Lifts Veto, EU Summit Expected to Approve 19th Russia Sanctions Package

The European Union is poised to approve its 19th package of sanctions against Russia after Slovakia lifted its veto, following negotiations addressing concerns about energy prices, the automotive sector, and emission allowances. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who had previously blocked sanctions over economic worries and the EU's focus on Ukraine, indicated conditional support contingent on summit conclusions reflecting Slovakia's priorities. Meanwhile, Fico criticized the EU for allegedly attempting to disrupt a planned peace summit between U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin in Hungary, advocating that the EU should facilitate such a meeting to help achieve peace in Ukraine. Fico expressed disillusionment with the EU's stance, accusing it of acting as a 'war cabinet' and urged full support for the Trump-Putin summit without obstacles. Despite prior delays and demands, Hungary and Austria also withdrew objections, enabling consensus on the sanctions package that includes earlier bans on Russian liquefied natural gas imports and targeting financial entities and cryptocurrency exchanges. These developments underscore ongoing tensions within the EU regarding balancing economic interests with unified pressure on Russia amid the Ukraine conflict.