Türkiye’s Erdoğan promises Slovak PM assistance with Russian gas supplies
Pravda Ukraine
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has promised Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to assist in ensuring the supply of Russian gas via Türkiye. The Turkish leader has expressed readiness to negotiate with Russia to find a solution that meets Slovakia’s energy needs.
Source: Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda
Details: During a press conference following his meeting with Fico, Erdoğan confirmed Türkiye’s willingness to engage in talks with Slovakia and Russia to secure transit of Russian gas.
“Let’s take a step”, he said, adding that his Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will reach out to his Russian counterpart, while Erdoğan himself plans to discuss the matter with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
“Let’s reach a conclusion on Slovakia’s natural gas needs,” Erdoğan added.
Slovak Prime Minister Fico, in turn, stated that an alternative solution for supplying Russian gas to Slovakia could involve the TurkStream pipeline and further transit through Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.
“Russian partners need to get involved and confirm if they are prepared to increase the volume of this gas to reach Slovak territory,” Fico said during the press conference.
He also noted that Slovakia’s minister of economy will travel to Türkiye next week for further discussions on the matter.
Background:
- The contract between Ukraine and Russia for gas transit to Europe expired at the end of 2024 after Ukraine decided not to extend it.
- Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico sharply criticised Kyiv for such a decision, issuing numerous threats towards Ukraine.
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