Slovakia, Hungary to challenge RePowerEU plan to phase out Russian gas in EU Court of Justice

PRAGUE. Jan 27 (Interfax) - Slovakia plans to file a lawsuit in the Court of Justice of the European Union against the RePowerEU plan that would ban Russian natural gas imports to the EU as of November 2027, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Tuesday, calling the plan a dangerous ideological decision.

"We will demand that the plan be declared contrary to the EU's fundamental principles," Slovak media quoted Fico as saying.

According to the media reports, Hungary also intends to file a similar lawsuit. Fico noted that a joint lawsuit is impossible, so each country will file separately.

"However, we will act in a coordinated manner, presenting arguments and substantiating the claims. An intensive exchange of information is already underway," the Slovak prime minister added.

The RePowerEU plan envisages that Russian pipeline gas supplies to the EU, including those under long-term contracts, are to cease no later than November next year. According to Fico, it is unclear whether large countries will then take into account the needs of smaller countries in the event of a market shortage.