Slovakia turns to TurkStream for Russian gas bypassing Ukraine
Slovakia has started receiving Russian gas through Turkey after Ukraine halted deliveries across its territory. This move follows Kyiv's decision to deprive Moscow of revenue from energy sales and to impede the invasion.
Slovakia is almost entirely reliant on the import of natural gas. Domestic production covers only 1% of demand, which averages approximately 5 billion cubic metres of gas annually.
The authorities in Bratislava were forced to alter the gas supply route after Ukraine stopped its flow to the west earlier this year. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, this decision was intended to deprive Moscow of revenues used to fund the war.
"The Moscow Times" reports that the Russian energy giant Gazprom has resumed partial gas deliveries to the Slovak company SPP. The company's spokesperson, Ondrej Sebesta, informed the AFP agency that deliveries are being made via the southern route through TurkStream and Hungary to Slovakia. However, he declined to provide further details.
TurkStream as an alternative to Ukraine
According to the Slovak newspaper "Dennik N," SPP's General Director, Vojtech Ferencz, confirmed that gas deliveries through TurkStream began on 1st February, with volumes set to double in April.
The pipeline stretches 930 kilometres under the Black Sea from the Russian resort of Anapa to Kiyikoy in northwestern Turkey. It then connects with onshore pipelines delivering gas to Hungary and Slovakia through the Balkans, reports "The Moscow Times."
Slovak Prime Minister Fico is one of the few pro-Russian leaders in the EU, along with Viktor Orban. "We see no reasons to pay for gas more than required due to geopolitical reasons," he stated, referring to the EU's plans to abandon Russian energy resources.
