Slovakia to bypass Ukraine disruption in Russian gas imports via TurkStream: Report
File photo shows a section of the TurkStream pipeline, a major energy project that transports Russian natural gas to Türkiye and further into Europe, accessed on January 3, 2025. (AA Photo)
Slovakia is set to overcome disruptions in Russian gas imports caused by halted flows through Ukraine by securing a substantially increased volume of natural gas via the TurkStream pipeline as of Tuesday, according to recent statements from Slovak officials.
The announcement came during a press briefing on Tuesday in the capital, Bratislava, by Vojtech Ferencz, CEO of Slovensky Plynarensky Priemysel (SPP), the country’s state-owned gas supplier, Bloomberg reported. Although Ferencz did not disclose specific figures, he emphasized that the increase in gas flow would be substantial.
Slovakia first began receiving gas through the TurkStream pipeline in February, while most European countries sought to distance themselves from Russian energy supplies following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Nonetheless, some nations—including Slovakia—continued to rely on Russian gas flowing through Ukraine.
Talks with EU ongoing on Ukraine transit
The development provides much-needed relief for Slovakia, which has been one of the hardest hit by the suspension of Russian gas deliveries through Ukraine earlier this year. Although the overall volume of gas delivered by Russian state-owned Gazprom via TurkStream to Europe will remain constant, a larger proportion will now be directed to Slovakia.
Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova also stated that there is currently no clear timeline for when gas transit through Ukraine might resume, confirming that discussions with the European Commission are ongoing to explore viable solutions.
