Imposing new restrictions against the backdrop of peace talks between Moscow and Kiev is wrong, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico believes

The EU is wrong to slap Russia with a fresh round of sanctions against the backdrop of peace talks between Moscow and Kiev, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said. He compared the restrictions to a "plague" and stated that they do more harm to the bloc itself while hardly affecting Russia.

EU ambassadors on Wednesday approved a 17th package of sanctions against Russia, which targets nearly 200 oil tankers that the West claims are part of Russia's "shadow fleet." These are older vessels that operate outside the Western insurance system. The move came just two days before a meeting between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul in what were the first direct peace talks between the two sides in three years.

"Sanctions are like a plague and I reject the sanctions policy," Fico told the Slovak STVR broadcaster, maintaining that the restrictions imposed by Brussels have so far only damaged the EU. He believes that Russia managed to quickly adapt to all the punitive measures.

Fico also said he would support a national referendum on rejecting EU sanctions on Russia should someone call for one. If any new restrictions risk damaging the Slovak economy, he will veto them at the EU level, he stated.

The Slovak leader also said that he discussed a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow earlier in May. According to Fico, diplomacy is still the best way to resolve the Ukraine conflict, with negotiations between Putin and US President Donald Trump being key to reaching a settlement.

On Friday, Moscow and Kiev agreed to a major prisoner swap and decided to continue contacts once each side prepares a detailed ceasefire plan and presents it to the other. Following the talks, several EU nations called for more pressure against Moscow. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that the EU and US must "suffocate" the Russian economy "once and for all."

Slovakia took what Fico calls a "constructive" and pragmatic approach towards Russia upon coming to power in 2023. "Europe needs Russia, and Russia needs Europe," he said in a video message last week, reflecting on his visit to Moscow. "We must pursue a policy of cooperation, not one of hatred and iron curtains."