Poland is promoting a strategic deal to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US to supply to neighboring countries Ukraine and Slovakia. The deal will further strengthen energy ties between the European Union (EU) and the US, and mark a turning point in efforts to help Central Europe escape dependence on Russian energy.
Officials are expected to issue a joint statement to boost imports after a meeting of the parties at the transatlantic energy conference in Greece this weekend. Subsequent discussions will focus on the terms provided to Slovakia.
It is noteworthy that the potential volume of gas transported southward through Poland could reach 4 to 5 billion cubic meters per year, nearly the entire annual gas consumption of Slovakia.
This is considered the latest move in a series of energy agreements between Europe and the US, in the context of the US promoting increased exports of gas and nuclear technology to Europe.
The US official described it as a "historic opportunity" and a "seismic shift" in how Europe receives energy, aiming to help Europe move away from Russian energy to US energy. Currently, the US has supplied about 55% of its LNG to the EU, up sharply from 27% in 2021.
This effort comes as the EU is determined to find a way out of dependence. On October 20, the EU Council approved a complete ban on imports of Russian gas under the Power REEU strategy, which is expected to come into effect in 2027 or 2028.
The decision was opposed by Hungary and Slovakia, two countries that are still buying Russian energy.
Slovakia's problem is particularly difficult. Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini admitted that the country is under great pressure to give up Russian gas, but technically, this is an extremely big challenge in the short term. However, he welcomed Poland's proposal.
Poland is rising to become a new energy center. Polish President Karol Navrotsky confirmed that Poland has an LNG port in Swinoujscie and another floating port that is about to be completed.
Poland and Slovakia have a pipeline connecting. This is the technical "way" for US LNG to flow from Poland to Slovakia, solving the geographical problem of this landlocked country.
The move is also the result of many diplomatic efforts, including meetings between US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Polish and Slovakian officials, and Slovakia's signing of a new nuclear power plant-to-energy agreement with the US on October 7.
