Slovakia Restarts Intergovernmental Talks With Russia to Secure Energy
The government is pursuing pragmatic sector-by-sector talks to protect domestic energy supplies while operating under EU rules that require ending Russian gas purchases by late 2027.
Overview
- Slovakia and Russia have resumed consultations through the Russian‑Slovak intergovernmental commission in Moscow with energy identified as the main topic and Russian officials saying they stand ready to honour existing contracts.
- Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said Slovakia's top priority is national energy security and stressed the need to keep a pragmatic, constructive dialogue rather than close channels with Russia.
- Bratislava says it will limit cooperation to areas not covered by EU sanctions and will hold expert talks on energy, nuclear energy, agriculture, environment, tourism, sports, and culture.
- Slovakia reiterates that it remains an EU and NATO member and that its negotiations must fit within bloc rules, including the EU plan that targets an end to Russian gas purchases by late 2027.
- The renewed engagement follows a suspension of formal ties after Russia's 2022 invasion and repeated trips to Moscow by Prime Minister Robert Fico, creating short‑term prospects for supply stability but leaving long‑term reliance constrained by EU policy.