Slovakia receives Russian gas via Türkiye’s TurkStream after Ukraine halts transit
This picture shows equipment from the border release and compressor station of the gas pipeline from Ukraine in Veľke Kapusany, eastern Slovakia, September 2, 2014. (AFP Photo)
Slovakia is now receiving Russian gas through Türkiye following Ukraine’s decision to stop gas transit via its territory, the country’s gas transit company SPP confirmed Thursday.
Ukraine, engaged in an ongoing war with Russia since February 2022, halted gas supplies to the West at the start of the year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the move aimed to curb Moscow’s ability to generate revenue to finance the war.
Slovakia, which relies heavily on Russian energy imports, criticized the decision.
Slovakia turns to Russia for alternative supply routes
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, one of the few European leaders maintaining ties with Moscow, traveled to Russia late last year to negotiate gas supplies with President Vladimir Putin.
On Thursday, SPP spokesman Ondrej Sebesta confirmed that the “Gazprom export company has partly renewed gas supplies for SPP.” He said deliveries were now flowing via TurkStream and Hungary into Slovakia but declined to provide further details.
SPP’s CEO, Vojtech Ferencz, told Slovak newspaper Dennik N that deliveries through TurkStream began on Feb. 1, with volumes expected to double in April.
TurkStream: A key pipeline
The TurkStream pipeline spans 930 kilometers (580 miles) under the Black Sea, running from Russia’s Anapa to Kiyikoy in northwestern Türkiye. From there, it connects to overland pipelines that transport gas through the Balkans into Europe, supplying Hungary, Slovakia’s southern neighbor.
Slovakia’s reliance on Russian gas remains a critical issue, particularly as other European Union members seek to reduce dependence on Russian energy.
Following Russia’s suspension of gas deliveries to Europe via Ukraine, the possibility of Türkiye as a new route has come to the agenda.
State energy company BOTAS’ former General Manager Gokhan Yardim, speaking to Türkiye Today, said: “The expiration and non-renewal of the contract for transporting Russian gas via the pipeline through Ukraine have brought forward the possibility of transporting 15 billion cubic meters of gas annually through TurkStream.”
“The gas previously transported via Ukraine supplied countries including Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, and even Italy. When it became clear in 2024 that this agreement would not be renewed, countries other than Slovakia and Hungary, primarily Germany and others in Western and Southern Europe, began developing alternative gas supply options. Hungary turned to TurkStream, while Croatia attempted to extend the Ukraine transit agreement. However, the failure to renew the agreement left Croatia in a difficult position.”
‘TurkStream remains the only pipeline route supplying Russian natural gas to Europe’
Speaking about the current pipeline routes that are actively supplying Russian natural gas to Europe, Yardim said, “By 2025, TurkStream remains the only pipeline route supplying Russian natural gas to Europe through Türkiye. Of the two pipelines, each with a capacity of 15.75 billion cubic meters running under the Black Sea, one serves Türkiye’s domestic needs, while the other is used for transit to Bulgaria via the Strandzha station.”
“After Türkiye, the pipeline, known as the Balkan route, carries gas through Bulgaria and Serbia to Hungary. Both Serbia and Hungary currently receive Russian gas through this route. There is also a pipeline connection between Hungary and Slovakia, and if gas supplies can be arranged through this route, Russian gas can be traded across Central Europe via Slovakia,” Yardim added.
Domestic backlash over Fico’s Moscow visit
Fico’s decision to engage with Moscow has drawn criticism domestically. His government, a three-party coalition, has faced protests in Slovakia over its approach to Russian relations.
In January, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets following his Moscow trip, demanding his resignation. Meanwhile, Fico has expressed concerns over lost revenue from transit fees, which Slovakia had earned by allowing Russian gas to pass through its territory to Western Europe.
