Slovakia seeks gas-import transition talks with European Commission

Slovakia intends to seek a transition period allowing Russian gas supplies to continue if needed for its energy security, parliamentary deputy speaker Tibor Gaspar told Izvestia.

Gaspar said Bratislava would pursue talks with the European Commission alongside legal action against the EU's Russian-gas import ban. He said Slovakia had filed a challenge in the EU court and would use available legal means.

The announcement describes Slovakia's intended negotiating position. It does not establish that the Commission has agreed to an exemption or that a court has suspended the ban.

Gaspar argued that ending Russian gas imports entirely would serve neither Slovakia's interests nor those of the wider European Union. That is the Slovak politician's assessment of the policy.

The EU has set a course toward ending Russian gas imports by the end of 2027. Gaspar did not specify the additional transition period Slovakia would request or announce a completed supply agreement.