Slovak gas company SPP started importing Russian gas through the Turkish Stream pipeline again on 1 February, with plans to double supplies by April, Slovak news agency TASR reported.

SPP Chairman Vojtech Ferenc confirmed that the company still has a contract with Gazprom, citing lower transit fees compared to other suppliers.

The pipeline passes through Turkey and Hungary and eventually reaches Slovakia.

However, Michal Lalik, head of SPP's commercial department, noted that Slovakia would still need additional imports from other routes as current imports cannot fully meet demand.

Slovakia's natural gas needs in January were met mainly from domestic reserves, which remain above average.

Ukraine did not renew a pre-war agreement to transit Russian gas to Europe through Ukrainian territory, instead letting the deal expire on 1 January. Kiev has repeatedly warned that it will not extend the agreement to stop funding Russia's full-scale war.

Following Ukraine's decision, Fico threatened to limit aid to Ukrainians and cut off electricity supplies due to the suspension of Russian gas transit. | BGNES