EU weighs using Ukrainian gas storage to settle dispute with Slovakia

Politico reported the information, citing sources.

Two officials familiar with the negotiations noted that the plan aims to mitigate Slovakia’s financial losses, as the country used to receive up to €500 million annually for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine.

The proposal was first discussed by EU Commissioners during a visit to Kyiv last month. Currently, the European Commission is considering the possibility of restoring gas flows through Slovakia — but without involving Russia.

Under the plan, Ukraine could increase gas imports from Greece and Turkey, store up to 10 billion cubic meters in its storage facilities, and then supply it via Slovak pipelines — including to Hungary — during the winter period, when gas demand rises.

A European Commission representative emphasized that this plan would allow Slovakia to become a transit country again, while aligning with the REPowerEU strategy, which aims for the EU to completely phase out Russian energy resources by 2027.

• Oil supplies to Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline have resumed, and the crude oil was expected to arrive in the country on Wednesday, March 12.