Danko Criticises Slovakia's Support for Another Sanctions Package Against Russia

Bratislava, May 20 (TASR) - Coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) leader Andrej Danko expressed his disapproval of Slovakia's support for another package of EU sanctions against Russia, stating that Prime Minister Robert Fico says one thing while Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (both Smer-SD) does another, adding that he hopes the minister will explain his actions, TASR learnt from Danko's social media post. "I fully support the referendum that aims to bind our government not to vote in favour of anti-Russian sanctions. That makes the premier's statement all the more puzzling, as if he doesn't realise that he currently holds power and can act to stop these things. The Slovak National Party has proposed a resolution for the upcoming session of Parliament to bind ministers, such as Mr Blanar, not to support such sanctions. I understand that speaking in Bratislava is different from acting in Brussels, but we must not mislead people," said Danko. He added that the SNS distances itself from Blanar's actions. According to Danko, anti-Russian sanctions are actually helping Russia, whose economy is advancing, while he believes the European Union is stagnating and says he can't imagine what will happen if the EU completely stops importing certain commodities from Russia. "The heavy industry we once had is disappearing. Everything is moving to Asia. The European Union is destroying itself. The same people who squandered billions during COVID are still leading it. And Slovakia also has a representative there, Mr Sefcovic [European Commissioner] who is directly responsible for the Green Deal," he claimed. On Tuesday, the foreign ministers of European Union member states approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia. lin