Slovakia willing to pay for Russian gas in rubles

Economy minister of Slovakia Richard Sulik said the country could not be cut off from Russian gas flows and if it had to pay in rubles it would.

"The gas (flow) must not stop," Slovak Economy Minister Richard Sulik said in a Sunday debate show on public broadcaster RTVS. "If there is a condition to pay in rubles, then we pay in roubles."

Sulik added Slovakia would continue to work on a common approach with the EU.

Slovakia said this week state gas company SPP had paid its March invoice for gas in euros, as stipulated in its contract.

Sulik said the country still had six weeks to find a solution before the next gas payment is due May 20, but Slovakia could not go without deliveries.