The Czech Republic became the first country to almost 100% stop importing gas from the aggressor country. During the first quarter of 2023, Czechia imported 1.71 billion m³ of Belgian, Norwegian and Dutch gas through the German pipeline. Previously, the state also used the Slovak gas pipeline, and it was through it that Russian gas reached Czechia.
"For the first time in the modern history of the Czech Republic, we completely did without gas supplies from Russia during the first quarter of the year. This is a great success. I don't know of another country that could eliminate almost 100% dependence on gas imports from Russia year after year. We all contributed to this because the reduction in consumption played a decisive role," industry and trade minister Jozef Sikela.
According to the minister, a significant role in this success was played by the reduction of gas consumption. Thus, import from the 3 mentioned countries were able to cover the demand. This is an outstanding achievement because the air temperature was several degrees lower during this period than in the last 3 years. In addition, Czechia paid attention to alternative supplies of energy carriers — liquefied gas from Belgium and the Netherlands.
"As it becomes more likely that Europe will be able to prepare for this winter and do without gas supplies from Russia, its price will also stabilize and return to pre-war levels, when Russia was already manipulating gas supplies so that European countries would have the minimum possible gas reserves for the moment of the start of aggression against Ukraine," Jozef Sikela.
