Czechia Offers Slovakia Emergency Gas Route Amid EU Russia Ban

The Czech Republic has offered Slovakia accelerated gas support to provide an alternative to Russian supplies amid EU plans to ban Russian gas imports.

The Gaze reports on it, referring to Euroactiv.

After EU energy ministers approved a gradual phase-out of Russian gas and a complete withdrawal by January 2028, the Czech Republic offered to help Slovakia, which refrained from supporting the ban due to concerns about security of supply and prices.

Czech Minister of Trade and Industry Lukáš Vlček noted that both countries had enough time to prepare, and the Czech Republic had already diversified its supplies and modernized its infrastructure, reducing its dependence on Russia.

The Czech Republic emphasizes the importance of ending dependence on Russian energy resources, which only contributes to the financing of the war.

“Russia is waging war against us, and prolonging the financing of that war makes no sense,” Vlček said.

He added that Prague is ready to provide immediate support if Slovakia requests close cooperation.

“I told my Slovak colleague: if Slovakia needs closer cooperation, Czechia is ready,” said Czech Minister of Trade and Industry. “The option is there, but Slovakia must request it. If it does, we are ready immediately.”

Historically, gas has flowed from east to west through Slovakia, providing transit revenues to Bratislava, and the new route through the Czech Republic could change the economic model of supply by charging fees for deliveries to Slovakia.

As The Gaze reported earlier, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that Russia’s dwindling economic resources and growing internal strain could be used to push Moscow toward peace negotiations with Ukraine.