Slovak gas companies initiate declaration to support further Russian gas transit through Ukraine
MOSCOW. Dec 17 (Interfax) - Slovakia has organized a pool of national gas companies and gas suppliers, consumers and gas pipeline operators from Austria, Hungary and Italy to support the continuation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine in 2025 and beyond.
The Slovak gas company SPP drafted and published a declaration "to support the continuation of gas transit through the territory of Ukraine and the preservation of its gas infrastructure, as the best solution not only for gas consumers in Europe, but also for Ukraine itself."
"This document is an important voice of business, which is directly responsible for energy security and economy of the region, which may suffer significant economic damage in the near future. We will submit the declaration to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen so that she has first-hand information about the threat to energy and economic security in our region," the statement quoted SPP CEO Vojtech Ferencz as saying.
As of now, the declaration has been signed by SPP - Slovenske plynarensky priemysel, a.s., Eustream, a.s., MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas plc, MVM Zrt., Gas Intensive Societa Consortile a.r.l., the Federation of Austrian Industries (Industriellenvereinigung), the Confederation of Hungarian Employers and Industrialists (BusinessHungary, MGYOSZ), and the National Union of Employers, Slovak republic.
Slovakia receives Russian gas via Ukraine. The long-term gas transit contract between Gazprom and Naftogaz of Ukraine expires this year, and the Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly said they would not extend it.
Ukraine seeks to work by the rules of the EU gas market, where gas transmission capacities are booked at auctions. The 2025 booking auction has been held without Ukrainian facilities. There was no Ukrainian transmission available at booking auctions for January 2025, held on European platforms on Monday, December 16. Theoretically, booking of gas transmission capacities is now possible at daily auctions, if they are held.
According to the Eni FactBook, Slovakia consumed 4.44 billion cubic meters of gas in 2023 (down 27% from 2022), including 2.9 billion cubic meters supplied by Russia.
Any alternative to Russian gas will be much more expensive for Slovakia. SPP estimates the gap at 220 million euros. The possible halt of gas supply to Ukraine may also do irreparable damage to Ukrainian gas infrastructure, the declaration said.
