Slovakia’s national gas company, SPP, is in negotiations with Gazprom to increase Russian gas imports in 2026 and 2027, a move that comes as European gas prices surge following disruptions to liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from Qatar, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.
The talks, which began before the recent escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, aim to bolster Russian gas deliveries compared to 2025 levels, despite the approaching European Union ban on Russian gas imports. Qatar halted LNG exports this week after U.S. And Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, driving EU gas prices up by 50%, Reuters reported.
SPP received only one-third of its gas from Russia in 2025, after the end of transit through Ukraine in December 2024. Previously, Russian supplies constituted the majority of Slovakia’s roughly 3 billion cubic meters of annual gas imports. The company is now exploring the possibility of increasing Russian purchases to as much as 100% of its needs through 2027, contingent on the success of the negotiations.
While Slovakia switched to importing Russian gas via Turkey last year, capacity constraints have limited the volume of deliveries. SPP holds a long-term supply contract with Gazprom that extends until 2034. The current negotiations involve potential amendments to the existing contract, requiring unspecified changes that would require to be approved by the Slovak Economy Ministry and receive an exemption from EU regulations, one source said.
EU rules generally prohibit increasing contract volumes for Russian gas as part of broader efforts to sanction Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine. However, the regulations allow for necessary amendments to existing deals. After 2027, SPP is exploring options to import LNG via Poland, Germany, and Italy, and has reportedly received around 20 offers for non-Russian gas, the sources added.
Slovakia, along with Hungary, has secured a transitional exemption from the EU’s broader ban on Russian energy imports, allowing them to continue receiving gas under existing contracts with Gazprom until December 31, 2027. This exemption was granted due to the difficulties both countries face in securing alternative supplies, a situation further complicated by recent disruptions to Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline, according to reports.
SPP and Gazprom both declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations. The Slovak Economy Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.