US VICE President Joe Biden discussed the crisis in Ukraine with the leaders of Montenegro and Slovakia on April 8, the AP newswire reported.
After meeting Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic in the White House, where Russia’s pressure on Ukraine was one of the topics, Biden spoke by phone with Slovak PM Robert Fico. The leaders discussed concerns about Russia violating Ukraine's sovereignty and the upcoming elections in Ukraine, according to the AP.
Biden thanked Slovakia for helping Ukraine diversify its energy supply, which western nations see as key to reducing Europe's dependence on Russian gas, AP wrote.
Slovakia could secure a reverse gas flow from EU to Ukraine, which would help lower the latter’s dependence on gas supplies from Russia, the SITA newswire wrote. This could be a solution for Ukraine after Russian gas giant Gazprom raised the price of gas for Ukraine by 80 percent, which Ukraine is unable to pay. Kiev deems the price hike a form of political pressure, SITA wrote.
Slovakia’s Economy Ministry has confirmed that it supports the reverse flow of gas to Ukraine.
Source: AP, SITA
Compiled by Michaela Terenzani from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information
presented in its Flash News postings.
