Slovakia Restores Russian Gas Supply via TurkStream

Following the halt of gas deliveries through Ukraine, Slovakia now relies on the TurkStream pipeline and a route through Hungary to secure its supply. This decision aligns with its independent energy strategy despite geopolitical tensions in Europe.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Since January 1, Slovakia has no longer received Russian gas via Ukraine due to the expiration of the transit contract signed between Moscow and Kyiv in 2019. In response, the country quickly found an alternative by redirecting its imports through Turkey and Hungary via the TurkStream pipeline. This infrastructure, commissioned in 2020, allows Russian gas to be transported directly under the Black Sea to Turkish territory before being redistributed across Europe.

Partial Resumption of Deliveries

According to Slovakia’s national energy provider Slovenský Plynárenský Priemysel (SPP), Russian energy giant Gazprom has resumed its deliveries to Slovakia via this new route. SPP spokesperson Ondrej Sebesta confirmed that the supply was already in effect and is expected to double in volume by April. SPP CEO Vojtec Ferencz stated that this alternative ensures stability in Slovakian imports despite the disruption of Ukrainian transit.

A Divergent Position Within the European Union

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has criticized the loss of transit rights linked to the Ukrainian gas route and has expressed his intention to maintain commercial relations with Moscow. This stance contrasts with that of most European Union (EU) member states, which have reduced their energy dependence on Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In December, Robert Fico traveled to Moscow to negotiate an energy agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, an initiative that sparked large-scale protests in Slovakia. His approach aligns with that of Hungary, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban continues to strengthen energy partnerships with Russia.

TurkStream: A Key Russian Gas Route to Europe

TurkStream is now one of the few remaining export routes for Russian gas to Europe. This 930-kilometer pipeline directly connects Russian reserves to the Turkish grid before supplying several countries, including Bulgaria, Serbia, and Hungary, through its extension, Balkan Stream.

With the end of Ukrainian transit and after the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea, Russia now primarily uses this route to export its gas to Europe. Additionally, European imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) continue despite the ongoing oil embargo imposed as part of sanctions following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The evolution of Europe’s energy dependence and the alternatives the European Union considers to secure its energy supply remain key topics in the energy market.

Brazil’s natural gas market liberalisation has led to the migration of 13.3 million cubic metres per day, dominated by the ceramics and steel sectors, disrupting the national competitive balance.
Sasol has launched a new gas processing facility in Mozambique to secure fuel supply for the Temane thermal power plant and support the national power grid’s expansion.
With the addition of Nguya FLNG to Tango, Eni secures 3 mtpa of capacity in Congo, locking in non-Russian volumes for Italy and positioning Brazzaville within the ranks of visible African LNG exporters.
Japan’s JERA has signed a liquefied natural gas supply contract with India’s Torrent Power for four cargoes annually from 2027, marking a shift in its LNG portfolio toward South Asia.
The merger of TotalEnergies and Repsol’s UK assets into NEO NEXT+ creates a 250,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day operator, repositioning the majors in response to the UK’s fiscal regime and basin decline.
Climate requirements imposed by the European due diligence directive are complicating trade relations between the European Union and Qatar, jeopardising long-term gas supply as the global LNG market undergoes major shifts.
A report forecasts that improved industrial energy efficiency and residential electrification could significantly reduce Colombia’s need for imported gas by 2030.
Falling rig counts and surging natural gas demand are reshaping the Lower 48 energy landscape, fuelling a rebound in gas-focused mergers and acquisitions.
The Nigerian government has approved a payment of NGN185bn ($128 million) to settle debts owed to gas producers, aiming to secure electricity supply and attract new investments in the energy sector.
Riley Exploration Permian has finalised the sale of its Dovetail Midstream entity to Targa Northern Delaware for $111 million, with an additional conditional payment of up to $60 million. The deal also includes a future transfer of equipment for $10 million.
Stanwell has secured an exclusive agreement with Quinbrook for the development of the Gladstone SDA Energy Hub, combining gas turbines and long-duration battery storage to support Queensland’s electricity grid stability.
The growth of US liquefied natural gas exports could slow if rising domestic costs continue to squeeze margins, as new volumes hit an already saturated global market.
Turkmenistan is leveraging the Global Gas Centre to build commercial links in Europe and South Asia, as it responds to its current dependence on China and a shifting post-Russian gas market.
The Marmara Ereğlisi liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal operated by BOTAŞ is increasing its regasification capacity, consolidating Türkiye’s role as a regional player in gas redistribution toward the Balkans and Southeast Europe.
Budapest contests the European agreement to ban Russian natural gas imports by 2027, claiming the measure is incompatible with its economic interests and the European Union's founding treaties.
The European Union has enshrined in law a complete ban on Russian gas by 2027, forcing utilities, operators, traders and states to restructure contracts, physical flows and supply strategies under strict regulatory pressure.
The partial exploitation of associated gas from the Badila field by Perenco supplies electricity to Moundou, highlighting the logistical and financial challenges of gas development in Chad.
A new regulation requires gas companies to declare the origin, volume and duration of their contracts, as the EU prepares to end Russian imports.
Saudi Aramco has launched production at the unconventional Jafurah gas field, initiating an investment plan exceeding $100bn to substitute domestic crude and increase exportable flows under OPEC+ constraints.
By mobilising long-term contracts with BP and new infrastructure, PLN is driving Indonesia’s shift toward prioritising domestic LNG use, at the centre of a state-backed investment programme supported by international lenders.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.