Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called for the European Union to drop sanctions on Russian oil and gas, arguing the measures should be lifted to enhance energy security across the bloc.

Fico's statement comes as European nations continue to grapple with energy supply challenges stemming from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and subsequent economic restrictions imposed on Russia. Slovakia has been among the EU member states most dependent on Russian energy imports.

Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported that a drone attack damaged an oil pipeline at the Primorsk port facility. The Leningrad region governor confirmed the incident at the Baltic Sea port, which serves as a key export terminal for Russian crude oil.

The pipeline damage at Primorsk represents the latest in a series of infrastructure attacks that have targeted Russian energy facilities. The port is strategically significant as one of Russia's major oil export hubs, handling substantial volumes of crude shipments to international markets.

The dual developments highlight ongoing tensions surrounding European energy policy and the continued vulnerability of energy infrastructure amid the broader geopolitical conflict. EU sanctions on Russian energy have been a cornerstone of the bloc's response to the war in Ukraine, though some member states have sought exemptions or expressed concerns about economic impacts.