Slovakia is considering legal action against the European Union over plans to end Russian gas deliveries by 2028, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Wednesday.
Fico, who has taken a pro-Moscow stance that diverges from much of Europe, said he had tasked the country’s economy, foreign, and justice ministers with exploring options for a lawsuit against the EU.
“There will be a document discussed by the government next week, where we will consider the possibility of filing a lawsuit,” Fico told a televised briefing, as reported in Reuters. He added that Slovakia’s response will depend on how the European Commission fulfills prior commitments to the country regarding potential energy shortages or price spikes.
Slovakia, along with Hungary, has been critical of EU plans to phase out Russian oil and gas imports, citing heavy reliance on Moscow for energy and concerns about economic impact. Last month, EU energy ministers approved the proposal to end Russian energy imports by January 2028, a move that only required a majority vote, leaving Slovakia unable to block it.
Fico also expressed opposition to an EU proposal to use frozen Russian assets to provide a 140 billion euro loan to Ukraine, citing legal uncertainties. He did not specify the potential financial scope or legal grounds for the lawsuit.
The Slovak government’s next steps will be closely watched as Brussels finalizes rules for the EU-wide phase-out of Russian energy.
