Putin accuses Ukraine of ‘punishing’ the EU
According to the Russian president, Kiev's decision not to extend the gas transit agreement will lead to an increase in energy prices for consumers in Europe. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Ukraine has declared its intention to cease the transit of Russian gas to the European Union starting January 1, as noted by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. He claimed that this move is a form of punishment against the EU, warning that it will lead to increased energy prices for European consumers.
The transit agreement between Moscow and Kiev, which facilitates the delivery of pipeline gas to the EU, is set to expire on December 31. The Ukrainian government has consistently indicated that it does not plan to extend the agreement despite requests from various EU member nations. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal confirmed that gas flow through the transit network will stop on January 1.
In his remarks to the press, Putin stated that Kiev is “biting Europe’s hand because without European support Ukraine cannot even exist, let alone fight.” He added, “Well, now they [Ukrainians] are punishing Europe by ending the contract for the supply of our gas…”
The Russian leader predicted that European gas prices, currently at $500 per thousand cubic meters, would continue to escalate with the expiration of the transit deal, asserting, “we are not provoking this, it is their policy.”
Putin emphasized that Russia has always been in favor of separating economic issues from political matters and has refrained from disrupting gas supplies to the EU. He reiterated that Russia is fulfilling its obligations and continues to pay for the transit of gas through Ukraine.
While Russia is prepared to supply gas via Ukraine under a contractual agreement with any counterparty, Putin noted that reaching a new deal is not feasible within a short timeframe.
The five-year transit contract between Russian energy giant Gazprom and Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz was established in 2019. According to the terms, Gazprom was to transport 65 billion cubic meters of gas through Ukraine in 2020, with a commitment to supply 40 bcm annually from 2021 to 2024.
Gazprom significantly cut its exports to the EU in 2022, following the imposition of sanctions against Russia and the damage to the Nord Stream pipelines. As of recent reports, the EU is still receiving approximately 5% of its gas from Russia through Ukraine. The Ukrainian transit network is linked to the pipeline systems of Moldova, Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia.
Earlier this month, energy companies from Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, and Italy voiced their support 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.”
In light of the escalating conflict in Ukraine that began in 2022, the EU has declared its goal to eliminate dependence on Russian energy. Higher-cost US fuel has largely replaced the previously supplied cheap pipeline gas from Russia.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
The transit agreement between Moscow and Kiev, which facilitates the delivery of pipeline gas to the EU, is set to expire on December 31. The Ukrainian government has consistently indicated that it does not plan to extend the agreement despite requests from various EU member nations. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal confirmed that gas flow through the transit network will stop on January 1.
In his remarks to the press, Putin stated that Kiev is “biting Europe’s hand because without European support Ukraine cannot even exist, let alone fight.” He added, “Well, now they [Ukrainians] are punishing Europe by ending the contract for the supply of our gas…”
The Russian leader predicted that European gas prices, currently at $500 per thousand cubic meters, would continue to escalate with the expiration of the transit deal, asserting, “we are not provoking this, it is their policy.”
Putin emphasized that Russia has always been in favor of separating economic issues from political matters and has refrained from disrupting gas supplies to the EU. He reiterated that Russia is fulfilling its obligations and continues to pay for the transit of gas through Ukraine.
While Russia is prepared to supply gas via Ukraine under a contractual agreement with any counterparty, Putin noted that reaching a new deal is not feasible within a short timeframe.
The five-year transit contract between Russian energy giant Gazprom and Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz was established in 2019. According to the terms, Gazprom was to transport 65 billion cubic meters of gas through Ukraine in 2020, with a commitment to supply 40 bcm annually from 2021 to 2024.
Gazprom significantly cut its exports to the EU in 2022, following the imposition of sanctions against Russia and the damage to the Nord Stream pipelines. As of recent reports, the EU is still receiving approximately 5% of its gas from Russia through Ukraine. The Ukrainian transit network is linked to the pipeline systems of Moldova, Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia.
Earlier this month, energy companies from Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, and Italy voiced their support 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.”
In light of the escalating conflict in Ukraine that began in 2022, the EU has declared its goal to eliminate dependence on Russian energy. Higher-cost US fuel has largely replaced the previously supplied cheap pipeline gas from Russia.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
