Slovakia is scrambling to secure a deal by the end of the year to ensure the continued flow of Russian natural gas through Ukraine, Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Denisa Sakova announced following an Energy Council meeting in Brussels, Bloomberg reports.
The deal, targeting 15 billion cubic meters of gas annually, is crucial as the current transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expires on December 31, leaving Slovakia and other central European nations facing a potential energy crisis.
Negotiations are underway with various partners to facilitate both the delivery and transit of the gas, but the success hinges on Ukraine’s agreement to the terms.
Slovakia, a key recipient of Russian gas via Ukraine, is seeking a solution for the next two to three years, acknowledging the EU’s broader goal of eliminating dependence on Russian gas by 2027. While Slovakia is working to diversify its energy sources and build up reserves, Sakova emphasized the need to meet current demand for both businesses and households until the EU’s long-term strategy is fully implemented. Slovakia’s annual consumption is some 4.5 billion cubic meters, and the proposed deal would also supply neighboring countries.
The urgency is heightened by volatile European gas prices, driven by faster-than-usual depletion of inventories amid unusually cold and still weather.
