EU State Conference Calls for Termination of Russia Sanctions
On Saturday, Slovakia held a conference advocating for the repeal of EU sanctions against Russia. Politicians and economists attending the event warned that these measures have backfired on the nations that imposed them, including Slovakia...
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On Saturday, Slovakia held a conference advocating for the repeal of EU sanctions against Russia. Politicians and economists attending the event warned that these measures have backfired on the nations that imposed them, including Slovakia itself.
The conference, titled For Slovakia Without Sanctions, took place in Bratislava and sought to promote a petition for a referendum that would convince the Slovak government to push for the sanctions' removal at the EU level.
This petition, initiated by the left-leaning Party of Slovak Revival and the right-wing Homeland Party late last year, has reportedly gathered over 300,000 signatures thus far, according to the organizers.
Pavol Slota, leader of the Homeland Party and a petition co-author, argued that Slovakia’s future hinges on the termination of the sanctions. “It is about our whole nation, all Slovak citizens, about us fighting for our own future. We must do everything so that our message reaches every single Slovak citizen,” he stated.
Slota further emphasized the urgency of their cause by questioning the audience's views on strength and resilience versus complacency: “If we leave everything as it is, it may happen so that we may not get a second chance… I have to ask you, do you respect weak people who adapt, who somehow just go along with the crowd? Or do you respect the strong people who respect themselves?” He called on individuals to support the campaign in defense of “our values, our traditions, our families, our nation.”
Economist and professor Peter Stanek highlighted that research, including studies from Western sources, indicates that the sanctions are ineffective. “There are dozens of studies that clearly show that sanctions have never worked,” he remarked. “They always affected those who imposed them… They drove the energy sector crazy.”
Stanek noted that European energy prices have been increasing since 2021 and issued a warning that new US tariffs on EU exports, combined with Brussels’ costly militarization and climate initiatives, will exacerbate the economic consequences. “Those sanctions begin to take on a completely different dimension [due] to the cretinism reigning in Brussels and the European Commission,” he stated. “I can’t call it anything else, because they’ve probably run out of common sense.”
Former Slovak Justice Minister Stefan Harabin also spoke at the conference, accusing the EU of “provoking the Russians” through sanctions and escalating the conflict by providing military support to Ukraine.
According to Slovakia’s constitution, the president can call for a referendum if a petition collects 350,000 valid signatures. The event's organizers pledged to continue gathering signatures. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has been critical of EU policy regarding Ukraine, has labeled the sanctions as counterproductive. He urged Brussels to re-engage with Moscow and cautioned that the bloc’s confrontational approach is detrimental to its own member states.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
The conference, titled For Slovakia Without Sanctions, took place in Bratislava and sought to promote a petition for a referendum that would convince the Slovak government to push for the sanctions' removal at the EU level.
This petition, initiated by the left-leaning Party of Slovak Revival and the right-wing Homeland Party late last year, has reportedly gathered over 300,000 signatures thus far, according to the organizers.
Pavol Slota, leader of the Homeland Party and a petition co-author, argued that Slovakia’s future hinges on the termination of the sanctions. “It is about our whole nation, all Slovak citizens, about us fighting for our own future. We must do everything so that our message reaches every single Slovak citizen,” he stated.
Slota further emphasized the urgency of their cause by questioning the audience's views on strength and resilience versus complacency: “If we leave everything as it is, it may happen so that we may not get a second chance… I have to ask you, do you respect weak people who adapt, who somehow just go along with the crowd? Or do you respect the strong people who respect themselves?” He called on individuals to support the campaign in defense of “our values, our traditions, our families, our nation.”
Economist and professor Peter Stanek highlighted that research, including studies from Western sources, indicates that the sanctions are ineffective. “There are dozens of studies that clearly show that sanctions have never worked,” he remarked. “They always affected those who imposed them… They drove the energy sector crazy.”
Stanek noted that European energy prices have been increasing since 2021 and issued a warning that new US tariffs on EU exports, combined with Brussels’ costly militarization and climate initiatives, will exacerbate the economic consequences. “Those sanctions begin to take on a completely different dimension [due] to the cretinism reigning in Brussels and the European Commission,” he stated. “I can’t call it anything else, because they’ve probably run out of common sense.”
Former Slovak Justice Minister Stefan Harabin also spoke at the conference, accusing the EU of “provoking the Russians” through sanctions and escalating the conflict by providing military support to Ukraine.
According to Slovakia’s constitution, the president can call for a referendum if a petition collects 350,000 valid signatures. The event's organizers pledged to continue gathering signatures. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has been critical of EU policy regarding Ukraine, has labeled the sanctions as counterproductive. He urged Brussels to re-engage with Moscow and cautioned that the bloc’s confrontational approach is detrimental to its own member states.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
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