For decades, the Russia was the main energy supplier of theEuropean Uniontransporting millions of cubic meters of natural gas daily through a complex network of pipelines. This mutual dependence, particularly marked in central and eastern Europe, allowed Moscow to garner considerable revenues while European countries benefited from relatively cheap energy. L’Ukraine then played a major strategic role as a transit country, its infrastructure serving as an energy bridge between Russia and Western Europe.
Slovak threats that weaken European unity
The decision to l’Ukraine to stop the transit of Russian gas towardsEuropean Union as of January 1, 2025 causes a diplomatic shockwave. The Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico adopts a particularly offensive position, brandishing several threats against kyiv. There Slovakiawhich estimates its losses at 500 million euros, intends to use all the levers at its disposal to force Ukraine to resume gas flows. Among its assets, Bratislava control 60% of European exports to Ukraine and has a unique capacity to provide emergency electricity to countries at war.
Energy as a diplomatic weapon
Robert Fico deploys an arsenal of pressure, threatening to suspend humanitarian aid and crucial electricity supplies to l’Ukrainealmost half of whose power plants were destroyed during the war. The Slovak leader does not hesitate to also brandish his right of veto over major European decisions, such as the admission of new members or sanctions against Russia. This strategy of tension comes at a time when the European Commission is trying to calm the situation, as evidenced by the creation of a working group after the meeting between Robert Fico and the European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jorgensen.
The current crisis reveals the fragility of European energy balances. There Slovakiaonce a beneficiary of gas transit revenues which it used to subsidize its citizens’ bills, now finds itself faced with a substantial shortfall. This situation highlights the challenges of European energy transformation and the tensions it generates between Member States, even though unity remains crucial in the face of current geopolitical challenges.
