Four years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Slovakia and Hungary are still sending around four billion euros annually to Russia for oil. This situation contrasts sharply with Czechia and Poland, both of which have managed to completely cut off their imports of Russian oil. The report highlights the significant divergence in energy strategies within the V4 nations, particularly emphasizing that while Polish imports previously surpassed all other V4 countries combined, they have since ceased entirely.

Interestingly, the price of gasoline before taxes remains almost the same across the V4 countries, despite the fact that Russian Ural oil is generally cheaper. This indicates that Slovakia and Hungary's continued reliance on Russian energy sources may not be passing on benefits to consumers in terms of lower prices. Instead, the data suggests that the geopolitical and economic ramifications of energy imports from Russia are heavier than the surface-level pricing could imply, reflecting deeper ties that have not yet been severed in Slovakia and Hungary.

The annual import of approximately nine million tons of Russian oil into the MOL refineries in Hungary and Slovakia underscores the ongoing dependency of these nations on Russian resources. As of now, this relationship is resulting in significant financial support for the Kremlin, amounting to around four billion euros each year, which poses questions about the long-term viability and sustainability of such dependencies in the face of international sanctions and calls for energy independence.