Slovakia’s populist leader on Wednesday blasted a European Union plan to halt imports of Russian natural gas by the end of 2027 to deprive President Vladimir Putin of revenue that helps fuel the war in Ukraine.

Slovakia and Hungary on Wednesday condemned European Commission plans to phase out Russian gas and other energy imports, deepening a rift with Brussels over relations with Moscow.

Slovakia does not agree with the European Commission's plan to stop the supply of gas, oil and nuclear fuel from Russia. This was announced on May 6 by the press service of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic.