The European Commission and Slovakia have announced the formation of a high-level working group to assess and address the implications of halting Russian gas transit through Ukraine.
This decision follows a bilateral meeting in Brussels on January 9 between European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
In a joint statement, both parties emphasized the importance of the group, which will focus on evaluating the consequences of Ukraine’s decision not to renew its gas transit contract with Russia at the end of 2024. The group will also explore potential ways the European Union can assist Slovakia and other affected member states in adapting to the new energy dynamics.
“We had a good and open discussion about the energy situation and the broader consequences of stopping Russian gas transit through Ukraine. In this context, we agreed to create a high-level working group to monitor and identify options based on a joint assessment of the situation and determine how the EU can help,” the statement read.
The working group will operate at both political and technical levels, ensuring close coordination between Slovakia and the European Commission. This effort highlights the EU’s proactive approach to addressing energy security challenges amid ongoing geopolitical shifts in the region.
