Slovakia's Fico Blocks EU Sanctions on Russia, Demands Fresh Negotiations Ahead of Summit

Robert Fico, prime minister of Slovakia, has vetoed new European Union sanctions against Russia, intensifying tensions ahead of an upcoming EU summit.

• The proposed sanctions package from the European Union targets critical sectors like Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil infrastructure, aiming to impose stricter measures on Russia.
• Slovakia has blocked negotiations on the sanctions, which have been under discussion for nearly a month, creating potential discord among EU member states like Austria and Luxembourg.
• Ficos opposition to the sanctions follows previous instances of resistance to Санкции в связи с украинскими событиями 2014 года, showcasing Slovakias unique stance within the EU framework.