Slovakia has begun importing Russian natural gas via the TurkStream pipeline after Ukraine halted transit through its territory, a local media outlet, Pravda Slovakia, reported. 

According to the report, Prime Minister Robert Fico said in a Facebook video message Monday that “the Russian gas is now starting its journey to Slovakia via TurkStream,” crediting joint efforts by Russia and Türkiye. 

“We should acknowledge their role in making it happen,” he added.

The TurkStream pipeline, running under the Black Sea, has become a key route for Russian gas to southern and southeastern Europe after Kyiv refused to renew a transit deal with Moscow. This forced Slovakia and other EU nations to seek alternative supplies.

Slovak state gas supplier SPP said last week it began importing gas via TurkStream on Feb. 1 and plans to double the volume by April.

Slovakia, which has a contract with Russian energy giant Gazprom, needs 4 billion to 5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually. It previously received about 3 bcm from Russia via Ukraine.

Kyiv ended its five-year transit deal with Gazprom at the end of 2024, halting Russian pipeline deliveries to Hungary, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Italy, and Moldova. 

These countries already saw reduced Russian gas imports due to Ukraine-related sanctions on Moscow and the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended the decision, saying it would deprive Moscow of energy revenue. However, Slovakia and Hungary accused Kyiv of triggering an energy crisis for political leverage.

Fico said Slovakia continues to explore other supply sources for long-term energy security, even with TurkStream.

The TurkStream pipeline has two branches: one for Türkiye’s domestic needs and the other supplying gas to Bulgaria. This Balkan route extends to Serbia and Hungary, connecting other EU states to Russian gas. It has an annual capacity of 15.75 bcm.

Last month, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Ukraine targeted a compressor station in Russia’s Krasnodar Region, which supplies gas to TurkStream, with nine kamikaze drones. It said the attack was mostly thwarted, with one drone causing minor damage. Türkiye confirmed the attempted attack, saying gas flows were unaffected.