Czechia’s Ongoing Russian Oil Imports Raise Energy Policy Questions
Despite having alternative supply options, Czechia continues to import Russian oil due to longstanding contracts and financial incentives, raising concerns over its energy strategy.
Published on April 8, 2025
Czechia continues to import significant volumes of Russian crude oil despite having the infrastructure to rely on alternative sources. In 2024, the country imported 2.7 million tonnes of Russian oil—a 30% decrease from 2023—primarily due to pipeline disruptions rather than a deliberate shift away from long-held contracts with Rosneft. The expanded TAL pipeline, completed in late 2024 and capable of fully meeting national oil needs, remains underused as state-owned MERO ČR and refiner Orlen Unipetrol cite longstanding agreements and the financial benefits of cheaper Russian oil. This approach has contributed nearly €3 billion in taxes to Russia since 2022, in contrast with the €1.32 billion Czechia has provided in aid to Ukraine.
Recent reports from March and April 2025 show that issues on the Druzhba pipeline—stemming from payment disputes—have accelerated plans to boost imports via the upgraded TAL pipeline, which now offers an alternative route from Italy through Germany. While critics argue that Czechia could follow Bulgaria by banning Russian imports without compromising supply security and economic stability, entrenched financial incentives and political inertia continue to delay a full transition away from Russian energy sources.