ENERGY SECURITY OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ONGOING CONFLICT IN UKRAINE
Abstract
Review Paper
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37458/ssj.7.1.7
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 fundamentally altered the European energy and security architecture, exposing the structural vulnerability of the Slovak Republic, which had been among the most energy-dependent member states of the European Union. This article examines the implications of the Russian–Ukrainian conflict for the energy security of the Slovak Republic. As a landlocked Central European country, Slovakia is heavily dependent on external oil and natural gas supplies, historically supplied via pipelines from the Russian Federation. Before the crisis, Slovakia imported approximately 90% of its natural gas and nearly all of its crude oil from Russia, rendering its economy and political system highly susceptible to external shocks. The war in Ukraine thus has disrupted traditional supply chains, exposed vulnerabilities in energy policy, and accelerated the search for diversification and sustainable alternatives. By analyzing the strategic, political, and economic dimensions of Slovak energy security, this study highlights the interplay between domestic policies, EU frameworks, and geopolitical shifts. The article concludes that Slovakia's long-term energy security depends on diversifying supply routes, developing renewable energy sources, fostering regional cooperation, and adapting to EU decarbonization goals.
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