Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico discussed the possibility of securing Russian gas supplies through Turkey with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who promised Ankara's help in finding a solution with Moscow, Bloomberg reported. 

The Slovak leader is seeking an alternative to Russian gas supplies via Ukraine, which were suspended earlier this year. Slovakia's state-owned gas company Slovensky Plynarensky Priemysel AS is one of the few remaining companies in Central Europe with a long-term contract with Russia's Gazprom, the media outlet said.

Turkey has expressed willingness to negotiate with Slovakia and Russia to find a solution.

“Let's take a step,” Erdogan said during a joint press conference in Ankara on Monday, adding that Turkey's foreign minister would contact Russian representatives and he himself would talk to President Vladimir Putin.

“Let's come to a conclusion about Slovakia's natural gas needs,” the Turkish president added.

As Bloomberg notes, Fico believes that an alternative solution can be found to deliver Russian gas to Slovakia via the Turkish Stream pipeline and then to Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary. He did not give details about the possible solution or gas volumes.

“Russian partners need to get involved and confirm whether they are ready to increase the volume of this gas supply to Slovakia,” Fico said during a press conference.

Slovakia's economy minister will travel to Turkey to further discuss the issue next week, Fico added.