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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia says it has seen a 50 percent drop in Russian gas supplies in the past day.
Prime Minister Robert Fico says the national gas company, SPP, wouldn't restrict gas supplies domestically. He told reporters Wednesday the government would hold a crisis meeting if the trend continues, adding the Russians blame technical problems.
Slovakia and other East European countries have reported similar drops in Russian gas flows in recent weeks. So far, they have proved temporary.
Slovakia, which is almost entirely dependent on Russian gas, was among the nations hit hardest by Russia's 2009 cutoff of gas travelling through Ukraine to Europe. Now, it can get supplies from the West if needed.
Slovakia also delivers gas back to Ukraine and Fico said his country is ready to meet its commitments.
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