Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has criticized the European Union’s REPowerEU initiative, calling it a self-destructive and ideologically driven plan to eliminate Russian energy, which he argues undermines European competitiveness. Fico, known for his frequent criticism of Brussels, warned that the bloc’s approach to energy and economic policy risks jeopardizing the continent’s global standing.
During the European Nuclear Energy Forum (ENEF) in Bratislava, Fico accused Brussels of taking an ideologically driven stance in its effort to phase out Russian energy sources. He described the plan as “complete nonsense,” emphasizing that the EU’s rigid approach to energy policy is not only counterproductive but also a threat to the competitiveness of European nations on the global stage.
Fico highlighted the impracticality of abruptly phasing out Russian energy sources, particularly for Slovakia, which relies heavily on Russian nuclear fuel rods for its Soviet-designed reactors. He argued that such a move would be akin to “putting a Mercedes engine into a Skoda,” a metaphor he used to underscore the risks of adopting foreign technologies without a proper fit.
Slovakia operates five nuclear reactors and is currently constructing a sixth at the Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant. Nuclear power accounts for approximately 60% of the nation’s electricity supply and is essential to its industrial ambitions, including the development of large data centers, as Fico noted.
The prime minister also announced plans for an additional reactor at the Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant, a project involving an American contractor and potential participation from other nations through a consortium. He pointed out that the United States continues to purchase Russian uranium, further underscoring the complexity of the issue.
Fico’s criticisms align with his long-standing stance against EU economic strategies, which he claims have consistently failed to deliver on their promises. Unless the bloc abandons its ideological approach to energy and economic policy, he warned, European nations will lose their competitiveness on the global stage.