PM states Ukraine will not renew Russian gas transit agreement
Kiev will halt the flow of Russian gas to the EU through its pipelines beginning January 1, as stated by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The transit agreement that facilitates the flow of Russian gas to the EU through Ukraine is set to expire on December 31, as stated by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal.
Ukrainian authorities have consistently indicated their intention not to extend the agreement, which poses a potential challenge for several EU nations still reliant on Russian energy sources.
In a Monday Telegram update, Shmigal mentioned a phone conversation with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, during which he expressed Ukraine's readiness to negotiate gas transit from any source other than Russia.
Slovakia is among the countries receiving Russian gas transported through Ukraine, and its government has been actively engaged in "very intense" discussions regarding gas deliveries for the upcoming year. Ukraine's transit infrastructure is integrated with pipeline networks in Moldova, Romania, Poland, and Hungary.
“I stressed that Ukraine’s agreement with Russia on gas transit comes to an end on January 1, 2025, and will not be extended,” Shmigal noted. He further remarked that should the European Commission formally approach Kyiv about the transit of "any gas other than Russian," Ukraine would be open to negotiations and potential agreements.
The transit deal between Russian energy giant Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz was established in 2019, allowing Gazprom to transit 65 billion cubic meters of gas through Ukraine in 2020, followed by 40 bcm annually from 2021 to 2024.
Following the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022, Gazprom, previously the EU's primary gas supplier, significantly cut its exports to the region. Currently, approximately 5% of the EU's gas still comes from Russia via Ukraine, according to recent figures.
In 2023, Slovakia reportedly consumed 4.44 bcm of gas, with 2.9 bcm sourced from Russia.
Fico remarked on Sunday that Slovakia would resist Western pressures to shift from Russian natural gas to costlier alternatives, asserting that there is "no reason to pay more for gas than necessary for geopolitical reasons."
The EU has expressed its desire to reduce its reliance on Russian energy in the wake of the intensified Ukraine conflict in 2022, with higher-priced US natural gas replacing a portion of the affordable pipeline gas previously supplied by Russia.
On Tuesday, state-owned Slovak energy company SPP, along with energy operators from Austria, Hungary, and Italy, signed a declaration advocating for the continuation of Russian gas transit, labeling it as "the best solution not only for gas consumers in Europe, but also for Ukraine itself."
This declaration will be presented to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting what SPP chief executive Vojtech Ferencz referred to as a "threat to energy and economic security in our region."
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
Ukrainian authorities have consistently indicated their intention not to extend the agreement, which poses a potential challenge for several EU nations still reliant on Russian energy sources.
In a Monday Telegram update, Shmigal mentioned a phone conversation with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, during which he expressed Ukraine's readiness to negotiate gas transit from any source other than Russia.
Slovakia is among the countries receiving Russian gas transported through Ukraine, and its government has been actively engaged in "very intense" discussions regarding gas deliveries for the upcoming year. Ukraine's transit infrastructure is integrated with pipeline networks in Moldova, Romania, Poland, and Hungary.
“I stressed that Ukraine’s agreement with Russia on gas transit comes to an end on January 1, 2025, and will not be extended,” Shmigal noted. He further remarked that should the European Commission formally approach Kyiv about the transit of "any gas other than Russian," Ukraine would be open to negotiations and potential agreements.
The transit deal between Russian energy giant Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz was established in 2019, allowing Gazprom to transit 65 billion cubic meters of gas through Ukraine in 2020, followed by 40 bcm annually from 2021 to 2024.
Following the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022, Gazprom, previously the EU's primary gas supplier, significantly cut its exports to the region. Currently, approximately 5% of the EU's gas still comes from Russia via Ukraine, according to recent figures.
In 2023, Slovakia reportedly consumed 4.44 bcm of gas, with 2.9 bcm sourced from Russia.
Fico remarked on Sunday that Slovakia would resist Western pressures to shift from Russian natural gas to costlier alternatives, asserting that there is "no reason to pay more for gas than necessary for geopolitical reasons."
The EU has expressed its desire to reduce its reliance on Russian energy in the wake of the intensified Ukraine conflict in 2022, with higher-priced US natural gas replacing a portion of the affordable pipeline gas previously supplied by Russia.
On Tuesday, state-owned Slovak energy company SPP, along with energy operators from Austria, Hungary, and Italy, signed a declaration advocating for the continuation of Russian gas transit, labeling it as "the best solution not only for gas consumers in Europe, but also for Ukraine itself."
This declaration will be presented to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting what SPP chief executive Vojtech Ferencz referred to as a "threat to energy and economic security in our region."
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
