Slovakia Plans Full Russian Gas Supply Through 2027 Amid EU Ban Exemptions

Slovakia's state-owned gas supplier, Slovenský plynárenský priemysel (SPP), plans to source 100% of its natural gas from Russia in 2026, leveraging an EU exemption for long-term contracts amid the EU's broader goal to phase out Russian energy imports by the end of 2027. Despite the EU's ban on spot-market purchases of Russian gas starting January 1, 2026, Slovakia and Hungary secured transitional exemptions to continue imports under existing Gazprom contracts through 2027. Slovak officials cite cost advantages and competitiveness as reasons for prioritizing Russian gas, with SPP's long-term contract with Gazprom extending until 2034. Prime Minister Robert Fico has been critical of the EU's energy policies, warning that cutting off Russian gas would harm Slovakia's economy and energy security, and he has threatened to veto further EU sanctions on Russia unless Slovakia can honor its Gazprom contract. The move has drawn criticism for potentially undermining EU solidarity on energy security and slowing the transition away from Russian energy dependence. Slovakia currently relies on the TurkStream pipeline via Turkey after the halt of flows through the Brotherhood pipeline by Ukraine earlier this year.