Hungary and Slovakia are calling for greater flexibility and more EU funding as the bloc prepares to end Russian energy imports in 2027, warning that replacing existing supplies could prove costly for Central Europe.
Hungary and Slovakia are urging Brussels to ease the rules surrounding the phase-out of Russian gas and provide more funding to expand regional energy infrastructure, Euronews reports. They argue that their geographical position and dependence on existing supply routes make it harder and more expensive to diversify their energy sources.
Under the European Union’s plans, Russian energy imports to Central Europe are due to end in 2027, raising concerns in both countries about energy security, industrial competitiveness and the cost of replacing existing supplies.
Slovakia warns of energy supply challenges
Slovakia has historically served as an entry point for Russian oil and gas, but it now risks becoming a destination at the end of alternative supply routes, alongside Hungary, as the EU moves away from Russian energy.
Speaking at a press conference in Bratislava attended by European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Denisa Saková called for discussions with the European Commission on how the next EU funding period could address the region’s needs.
“We would like to discuss with the European Commission how the next EU funding period and the availability of EU funds can meet our needs, particularly regarding the expansion of oil and gas infrastructure in the Visegrád Four region,” Saková said.
Saková also stressed the importance of preparing new supply agreements ahead of the 2027 deadline, arguing that energy security requires clear rules for delivering oil and gas throughout the region.
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V4 pushes for lower electricity bills
The latest appeal follows pressure from all four Visegrád countries at the European Council summit on 15–16 October. They called on EU leaders to reconsider measures intended to ease electricity costs across Central Europe. Their demands included greater flexibility in the ongoing review of the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), the bloc’s carbon market, and postponing the introduction of its second phase, ETS2, until 2030.
The countries argue that high energy prices are making it harder for their industries to invest in electrification, the transition from fossil fuels to electricity-powered processes and technologies. The US-Israeli war against Iran has contributed to rising energy prices, adding to the pressure on households and businesses across Europe.
According to energy think tank Ember, wholesale electricity futures in Central Europe are now more than 60% above pre-crisis levels, leaving consumers in the region facing a particularly heavy financial burden.
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Brussels acknowledges the problem but insists on limits
European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen acknowledged the “serious” situation facing Central European households but maintained that any response should consist of targeted and temporary measures.
He also warned against solutions that could undermine the EU’s broader objective of reducing its dependence on imported fossil fuels.
“We used to be dependent on Russia. We’re moving out of that. Now, that is good. But the current situation shows that we are now dependent on the global market, and events in the Middle East can affect citizens here in Bratislava,” Jørgensen said.
Hungary and Slovakia seek alternatives to Russian supplies
Budapest and Bratislava argue that meeting the EU’s energy diversification requirements will be particularly difficult without additional financial support. Both countries want investment in infrastructure that would allow them to receive oil and gas through alternative routes.
The Visegrád countries already have access to several non-Russian energy sources and supply routes. However, these alternatives can be more expensive, and the extent to which they are integrated into national energy systems varies across the region. Hungary and Slovakia therefore want Brussels to recognise these differences when deciding how to distribute EU funding.
Hungary has also challenged the EU’s plan to phase out Russian energy imports in court, with Slovakia supporting its legal action. Both countries argue that ending Russian supplies could put their industries at a competitive disadvantage compared with businesses elsewhere in the EU.