Poland ready to increase electricity supplies to Ukraine

Poland has expressed its readiness to increase electricity supplies to Ukraine, provided that Kyiv expresses interest in this arrangement.

Polish Minister of Climate and Environment, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, made this announcement, highlighting that Poland's energy operator is prepared to enhance electricity sales to Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

"The only question is whether Ukraine will be interested," Hennig-Kloska remarked, underlining that the decision rests with Kyiv.

The announcement comes amid ongoing energy-related discussions in Europe. On January 3, SEPS, Slovakia's state-owned electricity grid operator, confirmed its intention to continue exporting electricity to Ukraine under an emergency aid contract with Ukrenergo.

However, tensions regarding energy supplies have also been brewing. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened to halt electricity exports to Ukraine if Kyiv proceeds with a plan to stop the transit of Russian gas beginning January 1, 2025. Fico warned that such a decision would result in additional energy costs of €120 billion for Europe in 2025-2026, while Slovakia would face a loss of €500 million annually.

Meanwhile, alternative routes for Russian gas transit to Europe are also being explored.

On January 1, Russian gas stopped flowing to EU states via Ukraine after a five-year deal expired, marking the end of a decades-long arrangement. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his country would not allow Russia to "earn additional billions on our blood".

Poland's government meanwhile said the cut-off was "another victory" against Moscow. The European Commission said the EU had prepared for the change and most states could cope.

By Vafa Guliyeva