Slovakia may hold a referendum on lifting sanctions against Russia. Prime Minister Robert Fico, known for his pro-Putin stance, believes that the sanctions harm Europe more than they do Russia.
Fico told journalists that the idea of holding a referendum on lifting the sanctions was suggested to him by Slovak citizens themselves. „I don’t think a referendum on this issue is necessary, but if it happens, I will support it,” he stated.
According to the Slovak Prime Minister, Russia has already adapted to dealing with the effects of the sanctions. He added that the sanctions are more damaging to Europe than to Russia. A similar view has previously been expressed by Vladimir Putin, who claimed that Europe suffers more from the imposed restrictions.
Fico also assured that he supports the pursuit of peace and that new EU sanctions only worsen relations between Ukraine and Russia. He announced that his government would veto only those sanctions that could harm Slovakia.
In Slovakia, petitions have already emerged calling for a referendum on lifting sanctions against Russia. The initiative has already been supported by nearly 400,000 citizens of the country, which has a population of 5.5 million.
Will Slovakia Break with the Sanctions? Fico Backs Putin
The Slovak Prime Minister was the only politician from an EU country who traveled to Moscow on May 9 to take part in the so-called Victory Day celebrations, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, observed on May 9.
