Slovakia's Resistance to EU's Russian Gas Ban

Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has criticized an EU proposal to halt Russian natural gas imports by the end of 2027, arguing that it poses a threat to Slovakia's economy.

The European Commission plans to unveil details of this initiative, which intends to stop new gas contracts with Russia by year's end and phase out existing ones by 2027.

Fico, whose government has a gas deal with Russia until 2034, called the plan "absolutely unacceptable" and promised to veto it, citing potential economic repercussions and seeking compensations for damages.

(With inputs from agencies.)