Finance
Slovakia to File Lawsuit Over EU's Russian Gas Ban, PM Says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 17, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 17, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleQuick Summary
Slovakia will file a lawsuit by April 27 at the EU Court of Justice seeking to annul the EU’s qualified‑majority decision to ban Russian gas imports phased in by late 2027, arguing such foreign policy measures require unanimity.
Slovakia to File Lawsuit Challenging EU Ban on Russian Gas Imports by 2027
Slovakia's Legal Challenge Against EU Russian Gas Ban
Announcement of Lawsuit
April 17 (Reuters) - Slovakia will file a lawsuit in the coming days challenging the European Union's decision to ban Russian gas imports, adopted by a qualified majority, and will seek a preliminary injunction, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Friday.
Details of the Legal Action
The suit will be filed with the EU's Court of Justice, Fico said, criticising the way the regulation was adopted.
Background on the EU Ban
The ban on Russian gas imports, to be implemented by late 2027, was cleared by a reinforced majority of countries, allowing the EU to overcome opposition from Slovakia and Hungary when it approved the measure earlier this year.
Slovak Government's Position
"According to the Slovak government, this is a clear violation of all the principles on which the EU treaties are based," Fico said, adding that decisions on sanctions and foreign policy issues should be taken unanimously.
Regional Context and Deadline
Hungary's Similar Lawsuit
Hungary has already filed a lawsuit against the ban, and Slovakia had previously said it would do the same. Fico said the government would submit its lawsuit by an April 27 deadline.
Continued Russian Gas Supplies
Both countries have maintained Russian gas supplies despite EU efforts to end the bloc's reliance on Russian energy and cut funding for Moscow's war with Ukraine.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Jason Hovet in Prague. Editing by Mark Potter)
Key Takeaways
- •Slovakia challenges EU’s Russian gas ban adopted by qualified majority, seeking a preliminary injunction.
- •EU law mandates a step‑wise phase‑out: LNG banned by end‑2026, pipeline gas by autumn 2027 (with possible extension to November 1).
- •Hungary filed a similar suit; both cite treaty violation and insist foreign policy require unanimous approval.
Frequently Asked Questions about Slovakia to file lawsuit over EU's Russian gas ban, PM says
1Why is Slovakia filing a lawsuit against the EU's Russian gas ban?
Slovakia is challenging the EU's decision to ban Russian gas imports, claiming it violates EU treaty principles and was adopted improperly.
2When will Slovakia submit its lawsuit regarding the Russian gas ban?
Slovakia plans to file the lawsuit with the EU's Court of Justice by the April 27 deadline.
3What is the timeline for the EU's Russian gas import ban to take effect?
The EU's ban on Russian gas imports is set to be fully implemented by late 2027.
4Has any other country filed a lawsuit against the EU gas ban?
Yes, Hungary has already filed a lawsuit against the EU's Russian gas import ban.
5What is Slovakia seeking in addition to the lawsuit?
Slovakia will also seek a preliminary injunction to halt the implementation of the gas import ban.
