Visiting Russia shortly after Brussels found that contracts of six EU member states, including Slovebnia, on the South Stream gas pipeline violated EU legislation, Bratušek will not be meeting President Vladimir Putin.

She is however expected to discuss the project with Medvedev. The media have reported unofficially that Slovenia assured Russia that it would speed up the project while also respecting EU legislation. However, the Kremlin allegedly wanted stronger assurances.

Accompanied by a business delegation, Bratušek will attend a Russian-Slovenian investment conference to present Slovenia's privatisation plans and other investment opportunities in Slovenia.

Telco Telekom Slovenije, which is also up for sale, will presumably be the most topical potential investment, as Gazprom telekom is being mentioned as a potential buyer. Russia's Minister of Communications and Mass Media Nikolay Nikiforov will also attend the event.

Infrastructure and Spatial Planning Minister Samo Omerzel was also scheduled to accompany the prime minister to Moscow, but has remained in Ljubljana.