The Czech Republic has declared its readiness to help Slovakia after the EU’s decision to abandon Russian gas
The Czech Republic has announced its readiness to provide accelerated gas support to Slovakia after EU energy ministers decided to gradually abandon Russian gas imports. This is reported by Euractiv.
A complete ban on Russian gas supplies to the European Union is planned from January 2028. Only Hungary and Slovakia opposed the decision, expressing concerns about the risks to energy security and possible price increases.
The Czech Minister of Trade and Industry, Lukasz Vlček, acknowledged these concerns as justified, but stressed that the countries had enough time to prepare. According to him, Prague has modernized its infrastructure and diversified its supplies.
Before the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Czech Republic was also heavily dependent on Russian gas, but has reduced this dependence by investing in Western LNG terminals. Although some fuel still arrives from Russia, Prague supports a complete ban on imports at the EU level.
“Russia is waging a war against us, and further financing this war makes no sense”, – Vlček stressed.
In contrast, Slovakia and Hungary claim that they currently have no real alternative supply routes.
“We believe that it is technically possible. We will present our calculations to the European Commission to show the potential of supplies through western routes, ” – Vlček said after the EU Energy Council meeting.
According to him, negotiations are ongoing between Prague and Bratislava. He said that he had recently discussed the details of the proposal with Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova during the European Nuclear Forum in Bratislava.
“I told my colleague: if Slovakia needs closer cooperation, – the Czech Republic is ready. The Slovak side thanked us. There is such an opportunity, but the initiative must come from Slovakia. If it appeals, – we are ready to act immediately”, – emphasized Vlček.
Previously, gas was supplied from east to west through the territory of Slovakia, which brought it transit income. In the event of a reversal, the economic model will change, and Prague will already charge a fee for delivering fuel to Slovakia.
