Putin Promises to Meet Slovakia's Energy Needs Amid Ongoing Russian Supplies
Russia's Commitment to Slovakia's Energy Security
Putin's Assurance to Slovakian Prime Minister
MOSCOW, May 9 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin told Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico at a meeting in the Kremlin on Saturday that Russia will do everything to meet Slovakia's energy demand.
Slovakia's Continued Reliance on Russian Energy
Slovakia is among only a few countries in Europe that are still buying Russia's oil and gas. Slovakia gets Russian oil via the Soviet-built Druzhba pipeline, while natural gas from Russia flows there through the TurkStream pipeline.
Diplomatic Context: Fico's Visit to Moscow
Fico arrived in Moscow for the festivities to mark the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.
"We will do everything to satisfy Slovakia's needs in energy resources," Putin told Fico, who chose not to attend the Victory Parade on Moscow's Red Square, in comments broadcast on national TV.
Media Coverage and Political Implications
Russian state media had previously reported that Fico was due to attend the parade.
Slovakia's Position within the European Union
Slovakia, an EU member, has sought to maintain political ties with Russia and has argued that it would be too costly to wean itself off Russian supplies after building its infrastructure around it.
(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov and Vladimir Soldatkin; editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Aidan Lewis)
