Slovakia SOS to Russia as Ukraine Gas Pipeline Blocked

[Anchor]
The protracted war between Russia and Ukraine has put European countries that have relied on Russian natural gas on alert.

After Ukraine decided to stop supplying Russian gas to Europe through its territory, the Slovak prime minister made an urgent visit to Russia to appeal for support.

Correspondent Jo Su-hyun of London reports.

[Reporter]
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes Slovak Prime Minister Robert Pizzo to Moscow.

It's been eight years since the two leaders met, and it's an unscheduled surprise visit.

When Ukraine decided to stop supplying Russian natural gas to Europe through its territory, Prime Minister Picho went to appeal to Russia for support.

[Dmitri Peskov / Kremlin spokesman: The situation (over the issue of Russian gas supplies to Europe) is very complex and requires a lot of attention]

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Britain and several other European countries have been cutting back on Russian gas imports to sanction Moscow.

However, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria have increased their imports by prioritizing economic benefits.

Russian gas supplied to Europe through a pipeline passing through Ukraine is about 15 billion cubic meters per year.

Slovakia also receives an annual supply of 3 billion㎥, and there is no alternative to inexpensive Russian gas.

However, when Ukraine decided not to extend the contract, which expires this year to tighten Russia's funding sources, Slovakia's feet were on fire.

Prime Minister Picho said Putin confirmed that he was ready to continue supplying gas to the West through Ukraine, but predicted that it would be difficult in reality.

Ukrainian President Zelensky criticized the meeting between the two leaders, saying Picho was trying to weaken Europe by funding Putin's war.

Amid the growing conflict between Ukraine and Slovakia, other European countries are also worried about Russian gas.

I'm Jo Suhyun of YTN in London.