Slovakia resumes economic commission talks with Russia
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár met Sergei Lavrov in Moscow as a bilateral economic commission resumed after a pause dating to 2021. Bratislava says cooperation will stay outside EU sanctions. Energy security dominated the visit, with an existing gas contract running to 2034 at the centre of Slovakia’s concerns about the EU’s Russian-energy phase-out.
Geopolitics··Midday
The commission reconvenes after nearly five years
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on 26 October. Blanár led the Slovak delegation to the countries’ intergovernmental commission for economic and scientific-technical cooperation. The commission’s return accompanied ministerial talks on energy security, bilateral relations and the war in Ukraine.[1], [2]
The commission had last met in November 2021, before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Blanár and Russian Science and Higher Education Minister Valery Falkov co-chaired discussions covering energy, agriculture, tourism and other areas. Bratislava said cooperation would remain in sectors unaffected by European Union sanctions. Representatives of SPP, Slovakia’s state gas supplier, and JAVYS, its nuclear decommissioning company, joined the delegation.[1]
The existing gas contract runs to 2034
Before travelling, Blanár identified Slovakia’s existing Russian gas contract as a central concern. SPP’s agreement runs until 2034 and follows take-or-pay terms, requiring payment even when gas is not collected. The contract was part of the energy-security agenda; the visit concerned obligations under an existing long-term supply arrangement.[1], [2]
Blanár claimed that ending purchases under the EU’s Russian-energy phase-out could expose Slovakia to compensation demands exceeding 10 billion euros. That figure was the minister’s assessment of possible exposure under the contract. Neither side had announced a new energy agreement or a solution to Slovakia’s gas-contract concerns following the talks.[1]
The visit draws opposition criticism
The opposition Freedom and Solidarity party criticised the trip. Its representative Ivan Novotný described it as treasonous and questioned whether economic cooperation was its real purpose. The party alleged that Moscow wanted restrictions on Russian diplomatic staffing in Bratislava lifted. Blanár had previously dismissed claims that he would negotiate higher staffing limits; no agreement changing those limits had been announced.[1]
Blanár defended maintaining communication with Russia as necessary to protect Slovak interests, while condemning Russia’s breach of international law. Bratislava also listed Ukraine and peace initiatives among the subjects for discussion. The Russian foreign ministry said the ministers exchanged views on Ukraine and the crisis in relations between the EU and Russia.[1]
