Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said that the United States expressed “absolute understanding” of the need for Slovakia to continue importing Russian oil and gas until the end of 2027. Sakova said that Slovakia is trying to get rid of Moscow's dependence on fossil fuels, but when it continues to receive Russian oil next year, the country needs to be exempted from potential US sanctions. Meanwhile, according to the EU's comprehensive ban, Slovakia must stop importing Russian gas by the fall of 2027. Sakova told reporters in Bratislava on Friday: “The US side has expressed absolute understanding of our situation and the schedule we want to diversify supply in Slovakia. We need at least this transition period to last until the end of 2027.” This week, Sakova held talks in Washington with Jarrod Argen, executive director of the White House National Energy Leadership Council, and Francis Brooke, US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. To replace Gazprom's supply, Slovakia plans to sign a short- and long-term contract for about 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. Sakova said that Algeria, Azerbaijan, and the United States are all potential suppliers, and these supplies account for about one-third of the total requirements of the state-owned gas supplier Slovak Gas Industries.

Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said that the United States expressed “absolute understanding” of the need for Slovakia to continue importing Russian oil and gas until the end of 2027. Sakova said that Slovakia is trying to get rid of Moscow's dependence on fossil fuels, but when it continues to receive Russian oil next year, the country needs to be exempted from potential US sanctions. Meanwhile, according to the EU's comprehensive ban, Slovakia must stop importing Russian gas by the fall of 2027. Sakova told reporters in Bratislava on Friday: “The US side has expressed absolute understanding of our situation and the schedule we want to diversify supply in Slovakia. We need at least this transition period to last until the end of 2027.” This week, Sakova held talks in Washington with Jarrod Argen, executive director of the White House National Energy Leadership Council, and Francis Brooke, US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. To replace Gazprom's supply, Slovakia plans to sign a short- and long-term contract for about 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. Sakova said that Algeria, Azerbaijan, and the United States are all potential suppliers, and these supplies account for about one-third of the total requirements of the state-owned gas supplier Slovak Gas Industries.