Ministers in the Czech Republic have stated repeatedly that, like the rest of the EU, the country will not pay for gas in rubles. As a result, Prime Minister Petr Fiala has conceded that it is possible, that Russia would cut off gas supplies to this country as well. At the joint press conference with his Polish counterpart, Mateusz, Fiala said: “As for the ruble payment, the Czech Republic does not intend to give in to Russia’s blackmail. Other countries that agree to this are making a mistake. It is a violation of sanctions. It is dangerous.”
Russia’s move, which has been branded “blackmail” and a breach of contract by lawmakers throughout Europe, comes after Poland and Bulgaria refused to pay for gas in rubles as the Kremlin asked. In an attempt to shore up Russia’s faltering economy, Vladimir Putin made payment in rubles as a condition of receiving gas.
The majority of this supply comes from private enterprises, not state-owned Russian entities like Gazprom, according to Deputy Prime Minister Marian Jureka. Jozef Skela, the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, previously stated that the government is prepared for every situation, including a complete shutdown of the Russian gas supply. Fiala said today that a combination of gas reserves and alternative suppliers will fill the gap in the short term.
According to a recent analysis by a French research team, a sudden stoppage of Russian gas in Czechia would cost the economy roughly CZK 66 billion, or CZK 7,600 per person. In actuality, a sudden halt would have a greater impact on some sectors and individuals than others, and Czechs could face more than just financial damage. The Chairman of the Czech Heating Association issued a grim warning today about the consequences of a sudden loss of Russian gas.
Topolánek believes that for Central and Eastern European countries to operate without Russian gas, a sophisticated system of guarantees would be required, including assurances that transit countries would not withhold gas from Czechia even if they were experiencing their supply constraints. Until such systems are in place across the EU, the bloc will not be ready to fully transition away from Russian gas, nor will it be prepared to deal with a complete stoppage of Russian gas imports.
