Slovakia Strives to Balance Energy Policies: Compromises, Risks, and Future Challenges
Slovakia currently faces a complex situation regarding energy security and dependence on Russian gas.
Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár emphasized during the United Nations General Assembly speech that the country is ready to discuss reducing gas imports from Moscow, but is not planning to make swift moves in this direction for now.
He highlighted that diversification of energy sources is necessary, but requires time, resources, and prudent approaches.
According to Blanár, some other European countries are actively increasing their imports of Russian gas, complicating the global energy landscape.Such policy could have serious consequences.
Slovakia risks losing up to 10 billion euros if it terminates contracts valid until 2034.
The minister called for finding compromises, possible exemptions, and compensations, also stressing the need to address rising electricity prices that impact the economy and citizens’ well-being.Blanár also pointed out diplomatic nuances, suggesting that criticism of Slovakia is somewhat hypocritical.
While the country considers reducing Russian gas imports, other Western nations, notably France, Spain, and the Netherlands, have significantly increased their imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia—by 30% over the past year.
This creates a more complex and colorful picture of European energy policies.Earlier reports indicated that the European Union plans to introduce tariffs on Russian oil imports to accelerate the transition away from Russian energy supplies in countries like Hungary and Slovakia, where economic stability remains a priority.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen supported U.S.
President Donald Trump’s call for Europe to abandon Russian energy resources, emphasizing the importance of diversification to achieve energy independence for the continent.