Slovakia Resumes Russia Talks on Energy Cooperation

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow as Slovakia resumed intergovernmental cooperation with Russia after a suspension following the invasion of Ukraine. Blanar said Slovakia would pursue cooperation in areas not restricted by sanctions while observing its EU and NATO obligations, with energy security and economic ties among the main topics. He warned that the EU’s plan to phase out Russian energy could jeopardize Slovakia’s long-term gas contract with Russian supplier SPP, which runs through 2034, and said Slovakia has challenged the plan. Russia told Blanar it remained ready to honor existing supply commitments; Slovakia is expected to end Russian gas purchases by late 2027 under the EU plan.