Slovakia's Economic Minister Says The Country Will Pay For Russian Gas In Rubles If It Had No Choice

Reuters: Slovak minister says paying in roubles could be an option as country needs gas 

PRAGUE, April 3 (Reuters) - The economy minister of Slovakia, which relies on Russian gas for around 85% of its demand, said the country could not be cut off from Russian gas flows and if it had to pay in roubles it would, although it backed taking a common European Union stance. 

Russia has demanded payment for gas in roubles, but the European Commission said on Friday European companies whose supply contracts stipulate payment in euros or dollars should not meet this demand. "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 roubles, then we pay in roubles." Sulik added Slovakia would continue to work on a common approach with the EU.  

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Update: Slovakia agrees to pay for Russian gas in rubles (RT)  

WNU editor: Slovakia has no choice. It gets 85% of its energy from Russia. A cut-off would devastate its economy.