Czech PM presses Slovakia to support EU sanctions on Russia, facing veto over energy concerns.

The Czech Prime Minister has urged Slovakia to support the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia, warning against isolation from EU allies. Slovakia, under Prime Minister Robert Fico, is demanding guarantees on energy security and financial support before agreeing to the sanctions, particularly due to the planned halt of Russian gas imports by 2028. The EU is close to a consensus on the sanctions, which include a variable oil price cap, but Slovakia's veto is currently blocking the package's approval.