Slovakia and Hungary just stopped the EU’s latest sanctions circus against Russia, exposing how European bureaucrats still can’t grasp the basic concept of energy security or economic common sense.
At a Glance
● Slovakia has vetoed the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia over fears of economic damage from a forced Russian energy phase-out by 2027.
● Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico demands financial compensation for potential damages, including possible Gazprom lawsuits.
● Hungary joined Slovakia in blocking the sanctions, with both countries still heavily reliant on Russian energy.
● The EU proposed lowering the price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel but failed to secure U.S. support.
● Despite sanctions reducing overall EU Russian oil imports, central European nations remain dependent on it.
A Rare Outbreak of Common Sense in Europe
While Brussels continues its relentless crusade to punish Russia, two nations have finally stood
up to the madness. Slovakia and Hungary, led by leaders who still prioritize their citizens, have
blocked the EU’s 18th package of sanctions. The reason is simple: unlike the bureaucrats in
Brussels, these countries understand that energy security is not a luxury to be sacrificed at the
altar of virtue signaling.
“This will harm us, unless an agreement is reached with the European Commission that would
compensate us for all the damage this proposal might cause,” explained Slovak Prime Minister
Robert Fico, demonstrating more economic literacy than the entire EU leadership combined.
The Fantasy of a Forced Energy Transition
The European Commission has decreed that Slovakia and Hungary must completely phase out Russian fossil fuels by 2027. This ignores the reality that these nations depend on Russia for a majority of their oil and gas, with infrastructure built around those sources. Brussels expects them to simply flip a switch, regardless of the catastrophic cost to their economies and citizens.
“Together with Slovakia, we have prevented the adoption of the sanctions package,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated, in a refreshing defense of national sovereignty. The EU’s laughable solution to potential lawsuits from Gazprom over broken contracts? A claim that sanctions will act as “force majeure.” This is the magical thinking driving European economic policy.
The entire sanctions strategy has backfired spectacularly. The EU’s proposed reduction of the Russian oil price cap from $60 to $45 per barrel was another fantasy, failing to gain support even from the U.S. administration. Meanwhile, Russian oil that once flowed to Europe is now sold at a discount to India and China, who then refine it and sell it back to Europe at a premium.In this moment of sanity amidst Europe’s energy suicide pact, Slovakia and Hungary have done what responsible governments should: put their citizens’ interests first. Perhaps someday the rest of Europe will rediscover this basic principle—before they completely destroy their own economies.