A Slovak delegation, headed by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Andrei Danko, arrived in Moscow today, TASS reported, quoted by BTA.
Among the participants in the delegation is Tibor Gaspar, another deputy speaker of the National Council. The visit, which will last until January 15, includes meetings with the chairmen of both chambers of the Russian parliament – the Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and the Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko.
Forbidden route: Poland denies access to its airspace
The Slovak delegation's route was unexpectedly changed after Poland banned their plane from flying through its airspace. This forced the delegation to fly over the territory of the Czech Republic and Germany. The political symbolism of this decision highlights the tensions related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Energy crisis: Slovakia seeks stable gas supplies from Russia
The context of the visit is exacerbated by the gas dispute between Slovakia and Ukraine. Earlier this year, Kiev suspended the transit of Russian gas to Europe, a move that has severely affected the Slovak economy.
On December 22, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico visited Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although details of the agreements were not given, Fico assured that he had guaranteed the supply of gas to Slovakia at existing prices.
Ukraine defended its decision, citing national security. Slovak authorities, however, called it unacceptable, questioning its motivation.
The political dimensions of the gas dispute in Europe
The gas dispute highlights the widening geopolitical and economic divisions in the region. Slovakia, which remains heavily dependent on Russian gas, faces a complex situation as it tries to secure its supplies in cooperation with Moscow, but also within the framework of European coordination.
Despite the increasing tensions in the region, Andrey Danko's delegation is committed to strengthening dialogue with Russia, with Slovakia's energy security at the heart of these efforts.