Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmihal said the deal allowing Russian gas to transit through his country will not be extended until 2025, but he said he is ready to discuss other methods of providing supplies to Western Europe.
“If the European Commission officially appeals to Ukraine about the transit of any gas, except Russian gas, we will of course discuss it and will be ready to implement relevant agreements based on the principles of energy security, both EU-wide and country-by-country. and European nation,” wrote the head of the Ukrainian Government.
Shmihal stressed that the agreement between Ukraine and Russia on gas transit expires on January 1, 2025 and will not be extended. Ukraine is ready to fulfill its obligations under the Association Agreement with the EU, therefore it is ready to discuss the transit of any gas, except Russian gas, he assured after a conversation with his Slovak counterpart, Robert Fico, as published .
“At the level of the entire European Union and in cooperation with EU countries, much has been done in recent years to ensure a reliable supply of gas and prevent the use of any type of energy as a weapon, which for decades has been a common practice for Russia in relations with neighboring countries and the European Union,” the message continues.
Shmygal added that sanctions against the Russian energy sector must continue, as it is “one of the key elements in forcing Russia to achieve real peace.” In 2019, a five-year contract was signed for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe. The main buyers are still Slovakia and Austria.
