Slovakia said it intends to block the new EU sanctions package against Russia

Slovakia is ready to block the next package of sanctions against Russia.

This was stated by the country’s foreign minister, Juraj Blanár.

“Slovakia intends to block the 20th package of sanctions against Russia until it receives guarantees that the Druzhba oil pipeline will resume operations,” the Slovak outlet Denník quoted him as saying.

At the same time, the foreign minister noted that Bratislava would not object to granting Ukraine a €90 billion loan from EU funds.

Denník recalls that the allocation of this loan was blocked by outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose Fidesz party lost the election last Sunday. However, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico had said he intended to continue Orbán’s course.