The SNS leaders are unhappy that Slovakia supported another package of EU sanctions against Russia

Bratislava – The chairman of the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) Andrej Danko does not like that Slovakia supported another package of EU sanctions against Russia on Tuesday. He stated that Prime Minister Robert Fico says one thing and Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (both Smer-SD) does another. The head of the SNS expressed hope on social media that the head of diplomacy would explain his actions, TASR reports.

The foreign ministers of the EU member states approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia on Tuesday. It targets nearly 200 vessels that Brussels claims are part of the so-called Russian shadow fleet. The new measures also address hybrid threats and human rights.

“I fully support the referendum that wants to bind our government not to vote for anti-Russian sanctions. It seems particularly strange to me that the Prime Minister expresses himself as if he does not realize that he has the power today, that he can act and stop these things. The Slovak National Party proposed a resolution at the next session of the National Council of the Slovak Republic that is meant to bind ministers like Mr. Blanár not to support such sanctions. I realize that it is one thing to talk in Bratislava and another to act in Brussels, but we cannot mislead people,” Danko stated.

He added that the SNS distances itself from Blanár’s actions and expresses protest against him.

According to Danko, anti-Russian sanctions help Russia and its economy is progressing. He believes that the European Union, on the contrary, is stagnating and cannot imagine what will happen if the union completely stops the import of certain commodities from Russia. “The heavy industry that was here is ending. Everything is going to Asia. The European Union is destroying itself. The people who squandered billions during COVID continue to lead it. But Slovakia also has a representative there, Mr. Šefčovič, who is directly responsible for the Green Deal,” he claims.

In response, the Prime Minister stated that Slovakia will veto only those sanctions that directly harm the country. “I do not believe in sanctions either, but the principle applies that we will veto only those sanctions that directly harm Slovakia. I ask the question, how does the limitation of the Russian shadow fleet of vessels harm Slovakia,” Fico stated on social media. (May 20)

“The Slovak National Party proposed a resolution at the next session of the National Council of the Slovak Republic that is meant to bind ministers like Mr. Blanár not to support such sanctions. I realize that it is one thing to talk in Bratislava and another to act in Brussels, but we cannot mislead people.” Andrej Danko