Slovakia: Gas from Russia is still down 50 percent

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Bratislava, Slovakia • Slovakia says its gas supplies from Russia are down 50 percent for a second day.

Prime Minister Robert Fico says national gas company SPP has struck deals to get gas from other sources as a preventive measure.

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.

Fico says Slovakia can go six months without Russian gas should flows stop.

Slovakia also continues to deliver gas to Ukraine, Fico said Thursday. He added there's enough gas but that it has become a tool in a political fight. Russia has been in a standoff with the West over Ukraine.