The EU is ready to stop gas transit from Russia through Ukraine after the current contract expires in December

The EU is ready to stop gas transit from Russia through Ukraine’s gas transmission system after the current contract expires in December, – European Commissioner Simson says.

As reported by Interfax, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson stated that the European Union is fully prepared to stop the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine’s gas transmission system after the current contract expires in December this year.

“When I spoke with my colleagues in Ukraine, I made it clear that we are preparing for a situation where the transit agreement between Ukraine and Russia will end by the end of this December. We have found alternative supply routes, and the member states or their companies, which are still receiving gas from Russia, have effectively been given two additional years compared to other companies to whom Russia decided to cut off supplies back in 2022,” the Commissioner said on Wednesday during a press conference in Brussels.

At the same time, Simson noted that Ukraine’s gas transmission infrastructure is also part of the EU’s infrastructure, as a portion of European gas is stored in Ukraine’s storage facilities, “which provide us with additional capacity.”

“Ukraine is also a gas producer, so we need to ensure that their infrastructure still holds value. But my message is crystal clear: there is no need to seek new ways to continue trading with Gazprom. Alternative supplies are available, and we are working with the affected member states to show them that alternative routes will deliver the necessary volumes,” she explained.

Simson also referenced the words of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said at the end of August that “Ukraine is not interested in extending the transit contract with Russia, and that European companies have the right to use Ukraine’s infrastructure.”

According to the commissioner, her “main mission is to encourage companies that are still receiving Russian pipeline gas due to contracts signed before the war to choose more predictable alternatives.”

Simson also provided figures showing that the share of Russian gas in EU imports dropped from 45% in 2021 to 18% by June 2024, while imports from reliable partners such as Norway and the U.S. have increased. Additionally, the EU reduced gas demand by 138 billion cubic meters from August 2022 to May 2024.

“The EU reached its 90% winter gas storage target on August 19, 2024, well ahead of the November 1 deadline, and energy prices are more stable, remaining significantly lower than the peak levels of the 2022 energy crisis,” she detailed.

Ukraine Front Lines

Tags: EU european union gas Russia russia ukraine war Ukraine