Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on December 19 that Ukraine will not extend its gas transit agreement with Russia, which is set to expire on December 31. Zelensky made the statement during a press conference in Brussels.
The decision has raised concerns in several European countries, including Slovakia, Hungary, Italy, and Austria. State-owned energy companies from these nations had previously urged Ukraine to continue the transit of Russian gas in a joint declaration.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine would not allow Russia to benefit financially from the ongoing war. “We will not extend the transit of Russian gas. We will not give Russia the chance to earn additional billions from our blood,” he said.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at his annual press conference the same day, acknowledged the end of the contract but expressed confidence that Russia’s energy giant, Gazprom, could manage without it. “This contract will no longer exist. Everything is clear. We will survive, Gazprom will survive,” Putin said.
Despite the European Union’s efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, countries like Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria remain dependent on Russian gas.
Earlier this year, the EU imposed its first sanctions targeting Russia’s gas industry, specifically liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, after discussions with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, indicated that Ukraine is open to negotiating gas transit agreements for non-Russian sources.
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