Slovak lawmakers have approved a resolution that criticizes measures against Moscow and obliges officials not to vote in their favor

The Slovak parliament has passed a resolution opposing sanctions on Russia. The motion prohibits government representatives from supporting new international restrictions against Moscow, citing economic harm to Slovakia's industry and population.

Of the 76 MPs present for the vote on Thursday, 55 voted in favor, 23 abstained, and one opposed the resolution. Opposition lawmakers were absent from the vote.

The resolution, introduced by the Slovak National Party (SNS), claims sanctions have triggered rising energy costs, disrupted supply chains, and hurt the EU nation's competitiveness. It urges the government to prioritize national economic interests and resist international actions that may negatively impact Slovak businesses and citizens.

"This is a historic document, the first of its kind within the EU," SNS leader Andrej Danko said. "It clearly states that sanctions against Russia harm Slovakia's economy and the plenary session of the Slovak parliament has agreed."

Danko had said he was unsure the motion would pass, as the vote came a day after President Peter Pellegrini blocked a petition calling for a nationwide referendum on the same issue.

The petition, initiated by the Slovak Revival Movement (SHO) and the DOMOV party, asked: "Do you agree that Slovakia should not apply sanctions against Russia that harm Slovak citizens and entrepreneurs?" It gathered more than 400,000 signatures - well over the 350,000 required for presidential consideration - and was submitted to Pellegrini in May.

The president had said on Wednesday that he could not approve the referendum due to vague wording. He noted the petition didn't specify whether it referred to future or existing sanctions, nor did it define which measures would qualify as harmful or who would determine that.

Danko responded by mocking Pellegrini for "having the courage" to ignore the will of hundreds of thousands of citizens. He said that if the president had doubts about the legality of the text, he should have referred it to the Constitutional Court.

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Slovakia implemented all EU sanctions on Russia after the Ukraine conflict escalated in February 2022. Prime Minister Robert Fico, who returned to office in 2023, has consistently argued against the measures, saying they "are not working" and damage EU member states more than they affect Moscow.

Following the vote, Danko said the resolution would require Fico to oppose any new EU sanctions targeting Russia. However, he cautioned that Pellegrini still has the power to veto the resolution.