Slovakia challenges Eu ban On Russian gas imports in court

Tuesday 27 January 2026 - 13:30

By: Sahili Aya

Slovakia challenges Eu ban On Russian gas imports in court

Slovakia has announced plans to file a lawsuit against the European Union’s decision to prohibit imports of Russian gas, a measure approved by a qualified majority of member states. Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Tuesday that his government considers the ban incompatible with key principles of EU law.

The European Union formally endorsed the ban this week, setting a deadline of late 2027 for ending Russian pipeline gas imports, while liquefied natural gas deliveries are expected to stop earlier. The decision was adopted despite opposition from Slovakia and Hungary, two countries that remain heavily dependent on Russian energy supplies.

According to Fico, Slovakia will contest the regulation before the European Court of Justice, arguing that it violates the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. He added that Bratislava intends to coordinate its legal action with Hungary, which has also announced plans to challenge the measure.

The Slovak prime minister has repeatedly warned that cutting off Russian gas could have serious economic consequences, estimating potential losses of hundreds of millions of euros each year. He has described the policy as a threat to national energy security, particularly for landlocked countries with limited alternatives.

The European Union maintains that the ban is part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on Russian energy and limit financial resources linked to the war in Ukraine. A temporary extension is предусмотрed for countries facing difficulties in securing alternative supplies before winter.