Czechia spent €8.2B on Russian oil and gas last year despite the availability of alternatives.

According to the CSD, the Czech Republic’s expenditure of over €8.2B on Russian hydrocarbons in the previous year is 500% greater than the aid it has provided to Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion. The country possesses the infrastructure, reserves, and access to other suppliers necessary to completely replace Russian oil, but it has been procrastinating in its shift to different sources.

Analysts indicate that this is primarily due to financial constraints, as Russian oil remains less expensive than the country’s energy alternatives. Consequently, the Czech Republic continues to channel billions to the Russian regime and, additionally, to exploit a loophole in EU sanctions by importing Russian oil products refined in Slovakia and Hungary. The CSD asserts that the Czech government has the power to halt the import of Russian oil and utilize the TAL pipeline and domestic reserves.

Bulgaria, which entirely eliminated Russian oil in 2024 without severe repercussions, illustrates that moving away from Russian energy is feasible.