While most EU countries are working to reduce their reliance on Russian energy, Slovakia’s approach appears to be heading in the opposite direction. Economy Minister Denisa Saková’s visit to St. Petersburg to negotiate gas supplies with Gazprom signals a potential deepening of energy ties with Moscow, even as Russia continues its war in Ukraine. By engaging with a Kremlin-controlled entity despite EU sanctions and efforts to diversify energy sources, Saková raises concerns about Slovakia’s commitments to NATO and the European Union. Critics argue that her actions risk strengthening Kremlin influence, legitimising Russian aggression, and further alienating Slovakia from its Western allies at a time when European unity is critical.
Economy Minister Denisa Saková, accompanied by Slovak Gas Industry (SPP) director Vojtech Ferencz, travelled to St. Petersburg on 4 December for direct talks with Gazprom, the Kremlin-controlled energy giant. The government’s Airbus A319 was tracked landing near Gazprom headquarters, with negotiations reportedly focusing on securing Slovakia’s gas supply for 2024. While the ministry has withheld details, the trip fuels concerns over transparency, Slovakia’s adherence to EU sanctions, and its increasing entanglement with Moscow at a time of unprecedented Russian aggression in Ukraine
The delegation confronts several intertwined issues. Ukraine’s decision not to renew its agreement for the Bratstvo pipeline, a critical transit route for Slovak imports, disrupts supply logistics, leaving Slovakia reliant on alternative routes under Russian influence. Compounding this is Slovakia’s dependence on Gazprombank for payments, a bank under US sanctions, which raises risks of financial isolation from Western allies should Slovakia pursue unsanctioned mechanisms.
Critics warn that deepening ties with Gazprom reflect a dangerous short-termism that contradicts European efforts to reduce dependency on Russian energy. The Kremlin has consistently used energy as a geopolitical weapon, leveraging supply disruptions to manipulate markets, divide EU member states, and fund its war machine. By strengthening its reliance on Gazprom, Slovakia not only undermines these European goals but also risks falling victim to Moscow’s hybrid tactics, including economic coercion and disinformation campaigns.
A Dangerous Gamble for Short-Term Gains
Slovakia’s actions, including this visit, expose a troubling realignment in foreign policy that prioritises relations with Moscow over commitments to NATO and the European Union. Saková’s trip is emblematic of this shift, which increasingly isolates Slovakia from its Western partners at a time when European solidarity is vital. The Slovak government justifies such engagements as necessary for ensuring affordable energy for households, promising subsidies to shield citizens from price increases. However, the political and economic costs far outweigh these immediate benefits. Continued dependence on Russian gas entrenches vulnerabilities that compromise Slovakia’s sovereignty and security.
This trajectory is part of a larger trend of high-level Slovak engagement with Moscow. Prime Minister Robert Fico plans to attend the Kremlin’s flagship propaganda event—the 80th anniversary commemorations of the Soviet victory in World War II—designed to project Russian influence and bolster its revisionist narratives. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár has held secretive meetings with Sergey Lavrov and replaced seasoned Slovak diplomats with Kremlin-educated personnel in what critics call a deliberate ideological shift. Ľuboš Blaha, vice-chairman of SMER and a Member of the European Parliament, openly promotes pro-Russian propaganda, aligning with the Kremlin’s narratives while contradicting Slovakia’s declared support for EU policies. Smer MEP Katarína Roth Neveďalová echoes Russian disinformation in public statements, further embedding Moscow’s influence in Slovak politics. Pro-Kremlin MP Andrej Danko, leader of the Slovak National Party, continues his longstanding support for Moscow, including through his upcoming January 2024 visit to Russia.
These actions collectively signal Slovakia’s retreat from its commitments to NATO and EU solidarity. By normalising relations with a regime actively waging war in Ukraine, Slovakia legitimises Russian aggression and undermines efforts to counter the Kremlin’s destabilising hybrid operations. This shift not only compromises Slovakia’s geopolitical standing but also emboldens Moscow at a time when collective European resistance is critical. A stronger commitment to diversifying energy sources and aligning with Western values would offer Slovakia a sustainable and secure alternative, reinforcing its role within the democratic international order.
Source: Tomáš Grečko | Denník N
