Hungary and Slovakia scramble to keep Russian gas flowing after bank sanctions

Two central-european nations face gas-supply problems after US put sanctions on Russias main energy bank about a month ago. Peter Szijjarto Hungarian foreign minister plans urgent talks with Alexander Novak Russian deputy PM to solve payment issues

The problems started when US blocked Gazprombank (which was doing currency exchange for gas buyers) Its making things hard for countries that still get Russian gas: some payments are due soon but theres no clear way to pay. Vladimir Putin made things more complex by saying buyers cant use the old rouble-conversion system anymore

Slovakias state gas firm SPP (which gets most of its gas from Russia) is in a tight spot - its payment is coming up but banks wont send money to Gazprombank; there isnt any grace period. The company still looks for solutions but time is running out

Both countries want to keep getting Russian gas but face extra problems: Ukraine wont let gas flow through its pipes to Slovakia starting next month. SPP looks for new ways to get gas delivered‚ while Gazprombank says it will only take roubles now - making everything more confusing for european buyers

The situation affects other places too; countries in the Balkans have similar issues because they cant find banks willing to work with sanctioned Russian institutions. Its making winter gas supplies uncertain for several european nations