Slovakia
Slovakia's Defense Minister Robert Kaliniak called it “unthinkable” to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP. The country plans to remain at 2% of GDP, despite NATO's calls for increased spending due to the threat from Russia.
Ukraine's power grid remains in a significant capacity deficit after 12 massive attacks. Electricity is imported from 5 countries with a total volume of 10,422 MWh.
Slovakia is negotiating alternative solutions for gas transit through Ukraine after the current agreement expires. Gas prices in Europe are declining amid optimistic expectations for 2024 supplies.
The Slovak prime minister will discuss alternative ways of supplying gas through Ukraine with the head of the European Commission.
U. S. Deputy Secretary of State Pyatt supports the termination of Russian gas transit through Ukraine after the contract expires. The EU is preparing for the end of the contract and plans to completely abandon Russian energy resources by 2027.
Ukraine's German repair center for large military equipment will be moved from Slovakia to Germany by the end of the year. The repair center has been operating in Slovakia since the end of 2022.
Ukraine still needs to rationalize electricity consumption throughout the day. Electricity imports from Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, and Moldova are projected to total almost 17 thousand MWh.
Gas companies from four EU countries warned the European Commission of the risks of stopping gas transit through Ukraine. Slovakia is negotiating with Gazprom, but the EC refuses to participate in the discussion.
Almost 400 settlements in 16 regions of Ukraine are without power due to the weather. Despite the absence of outage schedules, Ukrenergo urges to save electricity from 8:00 to 22:00.
Prime Minister Shmyhal spoke with his Slovak counterpart about energy security and gas supplies. Ukraine is ready to transit any gas other than Russian gas after the current agreement expires in 2025.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman reminded Slovakia of the historical consequences of territorial concessions to the aggressor.
The Ukrainian power grid remains in a significant power deficit after 12 massive attacks by Russia. To compensate for the deficit, electricity is imported from 5 countries in the total amount of 21,226 MWh.
Peter Pellegrini said that Ukraine will have to make territorial concessions to achieve peace. He called for immediate negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
Peter Pellegrini expressed concern about the possible entry of weapons and various groups of people into Slovakia after the war ends. The President is also considering a visit to Kyiv.
Two new rail routes from Kyiv to the capitals of Hungary and Slovakia were launched. The new connections should relieve congestion on the Warsaw route and improve logistics links with the EU.
Following the December 13 Russian missile and drone attack, Ukraine has introduced blackout schedules. It is planned to import 15,898 MWh of electricity from Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, and Moldova.
The EBRD has provided a EUR 267 million loan to repair the M-06 highway connecting Kyiv with Ukraine's western border. The works are planned in Kyiv, Rivne and Zhytomyr regions with a focus on traffic safety.
As a result of the 12th massive missile and drone attack by the Russian Federation, power facilities in several regions of Ukraine were damaged. The weather left 198 settlements in 5 regions without electricity.
Electricity consumption in Ukraine remains at a high level, with hourly outages being implemented. Due to the weather, 9 settlements in the Odesa region have been left without power, and energy imports continue from 5 countries.
French Ambassador Gael Veyer said that Ukraine's accession to NATO would end the war and strengthen Europe's security. However, the decision must be shared by all NATO member states.
In Ukraine, 66 settlements in 4 regions are without power due to weather conditions. Electricity consumption increased by 2.8% compared to the previous day, and a significant power shortage remains.
The EU is in talks with the United States to ease sanctions against Gazprombank over the risks of gas supplies to Europe. Putin canceled the requirement to pay through this bank, but the issue of payments remains complex.
EU ambassadors were unable to agree on the 15th package of sanctions against Russia due to disputes over the import of petroleum products. Slovakia and the Czech Republic did not agree on the terms of exceptions for deliveries through Slovnaft.
Oil supplies via Druzhba to the Czech Republic have been restored after a two-day break. The Czech diplomat considers the stop a deliberate provocation on the part of the Russian Federation, but the country has enough reserves and alternative routes.
In Ukraine, hourly power outages continue to operate due to damage to the power system. Electricity is imported from five countries with a total volume of 14,514 MWh.
The Consulate General of Slovakia in St. Petersburg will close on December 31, 2024. After the closure, consular services for Russian citizens will be provided only at the Slovak embassy in Moscow.
Ukraine continues to experience high electricity consumption, with blackout schedules in place in all regions. It is planned to import 12,447 MWh of electricity from five neighboring countries.
There is still a significant power shortage in the Ukrainian energy system after 11 massive attacks. Electricity consumption increased by 1.1%, and there are hourly blackouts in all regions.
In the Ternopil region, power supply was restored after a night attack by Russian drones at a power facility. In all regions of Ukraine, hourly shutdowns are applied due to power shortages.
SOCAR has started supplying gas to the Slovak state energy supplier SPP since December 1, 2024. This is a pilot short-term contract with the prospect of a long-term partnership.