Slovakia

Stormy weather conditions in Zakarpattia, Slovakia, and Hungary are causing changes in passenger train schedules. Flights from Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava are delayed, and the contact network near Barkasovo and Skole has also been damaged.

Slovakia has blocked the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia for the second time, demanding guarantees from the European Commission regarding the RePowerEU initiative. This initiative envisages abandoning Russian gas by 2028, which, according to Slovakia, will have negative economic consequences.

In the first quarter of 2025, housing prices in the European Union increased by 5. 7%, and rental prices by 3.2% compared to the same period in 2024. Since 2010, housing prices in the EU have risen by 57.9%, and rental prices by 27.8%.

The European Union may soon adopt the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. Slovakia has received guarantees from the European Commission regarding a gradual phase-out of Russian energy carriers by 2027, which removes obstacles to the approval of new restrictions.

The European Commission and Ukraine have reached a principal agreement on the revision of the free trade area, which will facilitate Ukraine's integration into the EU single market. The modernized agreement includes a level playing field, safeguard clauses, and increased trade flows, taking into account the sensitivity of agricultural sectors.

The European Union has officially agreed to extend sectoral sanctions against Russia. This decision underlines continued pressure on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.

Romania has extended the mandatory licensing requirement for Ukrainian products until December 31, 2025. This measure, introduced to protect local farmers, covers the entire agri-food supply chain.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha reacted to the statement by his Slovak counterpart Juraj Blanar, who called on the West to "forgive everything that has happened" to settle the war. Sybiha stressed that a sense of impunity is the root cause of Russia's crimes, and a criminal will not stop if they are forgiven instead of punished.

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár stated that resolving the military conflict in Ukraine requires establishing communication with Russia and forgiveness from Western countries. He stressed the need for a diplomatic solution and adherence to international law.

US President Donald Trump will support new sanctions against Russia, which provide for tariffs for countries that buy goods from the Russian Federation. Senator Lindsey Graham discussed this issue with Trump, noting that everything is going well for the bill to be signed.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced his refusal to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claiming that Zelenskyy hates him. Fico believes that Ukraine's EU membership is beneficial for Slovakia.

The introduction of the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia is delayed due to disagreements among allies. Hungary and Slovakia are blocking the restrictions, demanding guarantees of gas supplies, while the US is not rushing to lower the price cap on Russian oil.

A border guard disappeared in Zakarpattia, searches are ongoing. The State Border Guard Service (SBGS) refuted information that the reason for the military's disappearance was a planned deployment to the combat zone, emphasizing that this issue was not considered. Information about a possible illegal border crossing was passed to Slovak colleagues.

Ukrainian swimmers Oleksandr Zheltyakov and Volodymyr Lisovets won silver medals at the U23 European Championship in Šamorín, Slovakia. This is only the second time such a championship has been held.

The approval of the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia is delayed until next week. Slovakia continues to block it, seeking to reject the ban on Russian gas.

The European Commission confirmed its readiness to transfer 2 million artillery shells to Ukraine by 2025 and to provide the remaining 11 billion euros of G7 loans. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also emphasized the continuation of financial, military, and political support for Ukraine.

The European Council on June 26 approved the extension of sanctions against Russia despite threats from Hungary and Slovakia. Negotiations are currently underway on the 18th package of sanctions, which includes restrictions on pipelines and imports of Russian fuel.

European Union leaders have not reached an agreement on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. Slovakia opposed it, which led to the postponement of discussions.

The Minister for European Affairs of Poland, Adam Szłapka, assessed the progress at the EU summit regarding the sanctions package against Russia and defense funding. Slovakia and Hungary oppose new sanctions, while Sweden hopes for agreements.

Slovakia will not support the new EU sanctions package against Russia due to unresolved gas supply issues after 2027. Prime Minister Robert Fico demands a postponement of the vote, which could lead to a deficit and losses of up to 20 billion euros.

The European Union summit starts today in Brussels, where key topics include the war in Ukraine, strengthening defense capabilities, and competitiveness. EU leaders will discuss further support for Ukraine, its path to EU membership, pressure on Russia, and efforts to achieve peace.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that there is no place for Ukraine in NATO, and Zelenskyy's presence only at an informal dinner in The Hague marks "the end of an era. " Orbán believes that Ukraine's entry into any integration community does not correspond to Hungary's national interests.

Hungary and Slovakia will not support the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia. Hungary stated that it will not support a ban on the purchase of Russian oil and gas, as well as any new arms supplies or financial support to Ukraine.

More than half of Slovaks rejected the idea of the country's neutrality, despite Prime Minister Robert Fico's statement. An AKO poll showed that 50.6% of respondents oppose Slovakia's withdrawal from NATO.

A brown bear roamed freely through Vilnius for two days, but hunters refused to follow the government's order to kill the animal, considering it non-aggressive.

From June 19 to June 25, 2025, traffic at the "Ubľa - Malý Berezny" checkpoint will be restricted due to technical work from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It is recommended to use other checkpoints.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the possible embezzlement of €7. 4 million intended for military aid to Ukraine. Eight people have been detained, including four Slovak Ministry of Defence officials.

Thanks to the introduction of "eQueue" for buses, queues at checkpoints have decreased. Since the beginning of June, passenger traffic has increased, especially for departures from Ukraine, where 85% are women and children.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a visit of foreign diplomats to the site of the Russian strike on a building in Kyiv. Representatives of more than 60 missions saw the consequences of Russian terror in Ukraine.

A number of EU countries still use Soviet helicopters and airplanes, which are important for Ukraine in the war. They are needed for the evacuation of the wounded and strikes against the enemy, but their support is becoming more difficult.