Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Photo: Xinghua News/VNA)

The proposal was made by Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico who met the Russian President in Moscow last Sunday. Putin said Russia is “not opposed” to the proposal, “since Slovakia takes such a neutral position."

Putin’s statement came after Ukraine refused to extend a gas transit deal that will expire at the end of this year. The deal allows Russian gas to transit through Ukraine to Europe and there is currently no viable alternative. Putin said Thursday that there is no time left this year to sign a new Ukrainian gas transit agreement.