Slovak politicians and economists contend that EU sanctions against Russia have “never worked” and have negatively impacted the countries that implemented them.
A conference held in Slovakia this past Saturday advocated for the lifting of EU sanctions on Russia. Participants, including politicians and economists, cautioned that these measures have hurt the imposing countries, including Slovakia itself.
The conference, titled “For Slovakia Without Sanctions,” took place in Bratislava and promoted a petition for a referendum. The aim is to encourage the Slovak government to advocate for the removal of sanctions at the EU level.
Organizers stated that the petition, launched by the left-wing Party of Slovak Revival and the right-wing Homeland Party in late 2023, has garnered over 300,000 signatures to date.
Pavol Slota, leader of the Homeland Party and one of the petition’s authors, asserted that Slovakia’s future hinges on ending the sanctions.
“This concerns our entire nation, all Slovak citizens, and our fight for our own future. We must ensure our message reaches every Slovak citizen,” he stated.
“If we do not act, we may not have another opportunity… Do you admire those who conform and simply follow the crowd? Or do you admire strong individuals who respect themselves?” Slota asked, urging support for the campaign to defend “our values, our traditions, our families, our nation.”
Economist and Professor Peter Stanek informed attendees that research, including Western studies, indicates the sanctions’ ineffectiveness.
“Numerous studies demonstrate that sanctions have consistently failed,” Stanek said. “They have always negatively impacted those who imposed them… They have destabilized the energy sector.”
He added that European energy prices have been rising since 2021, and warned that new US tariffs on EU exports, along with Brussels’ expensive military spending and climate initiatives, will further worsen the economic consequences.
“These sanctions are taking on a completely different dimension due to the absurdity prevailing in Brussels and the European Commission,” he stated. “I can only describe it as such, as they seem to have lost all common sense.”
Former Slovak Justice Minister Stefan Harabin also addressed the conference, accusing the EU of “provoking the Russians” through sanctions and escalating the conflict by providing arms to Kiev.
Under the Slovak constitution, the president can call a referendum if a petition receives 350,000 valid signatures. Organizers have vowed to continue gathering signatures. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, a critic of EU policy on Ukraine, has described the sanctions as counterproductive. He has urged Brussels to re-engage with Moscow, warning that the bloc’s confrontational approach is harming its own member states.
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