Ljubljana/Brussels - Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar called for a prompt EU ban on Russian gas imports as he arrived at day two of a NATO ministerial in Brussels on Thursday. Slovenia has meanwhile joined an initiative of eleven EU countries calling for ending the EU's dependency on Russian fossil fuels.

Logar believes that the EU paying "bloody energy euros to Russia" actually prolongs Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

He stressed that developments are moving in the direction of the ban, while Slovenia is actively and successfully looking for sources to replace Russian gas.

EU member states are discussing a proposal of a fifth batch of sanctions against Russia which also entails a ban on Russian coal imports, and Logar believes this is not the last tranche of sanctions.

The minister also called for further humanitarian and military support for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggression to continue so that the country liberates its territory within the internationally recognised borders.

NATO foreign ministers will today discuss with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba the alliance's support for Ukraine, with Logar stressing Slovenia supports Ukraine in all areas.

Slovenia joined a group of another 10 EU members which issued a joint statement saying that the best way to achieve the EU's independence from Russian fossil fuels is to accelerate the green transition towards climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest.

The eleven countries see the Fit for 55 package as one of the key tools for this goal to be achieved. They stress that the EU should use the historic unity it showed when Russia attacked Ukraine to become independent of Russian fossil fuels as soon as possible.

"Now is the time to be bold and decisive in moving forward with the green transition. Any delay or hesitation will only prolong our energy dependence," the ministers wrote.