An informational narrative on Slovakia's energy dependence on Russian gas

Absztrakt

Energy security is a key factor shaping public policy in Central Europe. The issue of importing Russian natural gas to Slovakia became a major subject of public debate following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The topic remains particularly salient in Slovakia, which, together with Hungary, continues to rely heavily on Russian gas, where it occupies a dominant position in the energy import structure. Due to this dependence, issues such as attacks on energy infrastructure, the diversification of energy sources, and the application of sanctions have become matters of intense public debate. This article focuses on the analysis of narratives related to the import of Russian gas that emerge within the Slovak online information space. The objective of the study is to map the dynamics, and structure of discussions on Russian gas imports, with particular emphasis on identifying key political actors involved in the generation and reproduction of these narratives. The period under analysis spans from November 2024 to November 2025, covering discourse during the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine and the campaign advocating for a referendum to stop applying anti-Russian sanctions. Data is collected using the Juno system developed by Gerulata. The methodological framework combines content analysis, discourse analysis, and frame analysis. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how narratives concerning Russian gas imports are formed and circulated in the Slovak information space.