Slovakia's Strategic Energy Concerns Amid European Pressure

Slovakia is keen to maintain oil and gas transit through Ukraine despite European Commission pressure. Facing potential supply disruptions, the nation emphasizes the importance of these routes due to the high cost of alternatives. Slovakia and Hungary have also navigated past disruptions in Russian oil supplies.

Slovakia is determined to keep oil and gas flowing from Russia to the west via Ukraine, Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on Thursday, despite facing pressure from the European Commission to cease these flows.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting with the Ukrainian cabinet, Fico highlighted Slovakia's reliance on transit routes through Ukraine, which is embroiled in conflict since Russia's invasion in February 2022. With Ukraine hesitant to renew its gas deal with Russia, Slovakia regards alternative energy routes as financially burdensome.

This situation echoes earlier in the year when Ukraine cut Russian oil supplies to Slovakia and Hungary by banning Lukoil. However, this was resolved when Hungary's MOL, which owns refineries in both countries, secured agreements at the Belarus-Ukraine border.

(With inputs from agencies.)