An EU ally reaches out to Russia. In the background, a contract worth over 10 billion euros

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar will visit Moscow for a government commission meeting focused on energy security. The meeting aims to establish cooperation frameworks in areas of mutual interest, including energy, agriculture, and environmental protection. Blanar emphasized the importance of maintaining open contacts with Russia despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He highlighted Slovakia's need to protect its interests, particularly regarding gas supplies, as the country is set to stop receiving Russian gas by 2027. Blanar will also meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss peace initiatives for Ukraine.