Slovakian state-owned gas supplier SPP has stated that Europe is not yet close to finalizing an agreement to replace Russian pipeline gas with supplies from Azerbaijan. The European Union is actively seeking alternatives to Russian gas, especially as the remaining pipeline flows through Ukraine are set to cease at the end of this year. This is due to the expiration of the five-year transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine on December 31.
Ukraine has repeatedly stated that it will not extend the current gas transit agreement with Russia. While Russia has expressed a willingness to negotiate an extension, Ukraine has remained firm in its refusal to engage in discussions regarding the deal’s renewal.
Although several EU member states, including Slovakia and Hungary, still receive Russian gas through Ukraine, Slovakia has expressed its desire to continue using this transit route. Meanwhile, EU energy ministers have been exploring the possibility of replacing Russian gas with Azerbaijani supplies. However, no concrete agreements or details have emerged so far.
Recent media reports suggested that Hungarian and Slovakian gas companies were close to signing a deal to secure 12-14 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Azerbaijan. However, Slovakia’s SPP has refuted these claims, stating that while discussions with EU partners on potential gas supply contracts are ongoing, there is no imminent deal with Azerbaijan.
At this point, it seems that the EU is far from finalizing an agreement to replace Russian gas flows. It is possible that any such deal could be reached in the final days of the year or even at the beginning of next year, depending on ongoing negotiations.
