Slovakia threatens Ukraine over suspension of gas transit
20 December 15:59
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has threatened Ukraine with a “serious conflict” if the country stops gas transit in 2025. The head of the Slovak government wrote about this on his page on the social network X on December 20, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.
“If Zelensky does not let our gas in, a serious conflict may arise,” Fico wrote.
It should be noted that a few days earlier , gas suppliers from four European countries appealed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to ensure the continuation of natural gas transit through Ukraine after 2024. In particular, the initiative was supported by Slovakia’s largest energy company SPP, as well as representatives of Austria, Hungary, and Italy.
In the text of the appeal, the signatories emphasized that preserving Ukraine’s gas transportation infrastructure is critical both for Europe’s energy security and for supporting Ukraine’s economy.
Thus, Vojtech Ferenc, Chairman of the Board of SPP, said that the termination of gas transit through Ukraine could cause significant economic losses for the region and a significant increase in energy prices.
According to the head of SPP, the cessation of Russian gas supplies through Ukraine could lead to higher transit costs for consumers. For example, the Slovak gas market could lose more than 220 million euros due to higher costs for alternative supplies.
The contract between Russian Gazprom and Naftogaz of Ukraine for gas transit expires on January 1, 2025. The cessation of transit could pose serious challenges for Central European countries such as Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria, which are heavily dependent on these supplies.
According to Denisa Sakova, Minister of Economy of Slovakia, in 2025, the European demand for Russian gas transited through Ukraine could reach about 15 billion cubic meters.
Nevertheless, some countries, such as Austria, have been able to partially establish alternative supplies through Italy and Germany, and the country’s gas storage facilities are currently full.
