(ANSA) - BRUXELLES, JUL 12 - Slovakia intends to quickly reach a solution on the guarantees required to approve the European Union's 18th sanctions package against Moscow. "We want to resolve this issue by Tuesday because tensions are rising on all sides," Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters in Bratislava, according to several media. Bratislava has been blocking new sanctions since June over fears about the consequences of a planned blockade on Russian gas imports from 2028, demanding financial compensation from the EU Commission for households and industry in the event of a price increase and legal guarantees in case Moscow initiates arbitration for breach of contract. There will be a Council of European foreign ministers on Tuesday that could vote on the 18th package of sanctions on Moscow. Fico also said he had an "extremely difficult" conversation this morning with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The Slovak premier also reiterated his opposition to cutting off Russian gas supplies, arguing that it would raise energy prices and damage Slovakia's competitiveness, saying that without guarantees he will continue to block approval of the new sanctions package. The value of the gas contract linking Slovakia to Russia's Gazprom is about 16 billion euros and is valid until 2034. Supplies take place along the southern route, through TurkStream and Hungary, while transit through Ukraine is blocked. Russian gas accounts for about half of the country's supplies. (ANSA).