The five-year gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expired on Wednesday, with Kyiv declining to renew it due to the ongoing war
MOSCOW/KYIV (DT) – Russian gas exports through Ukraine’s Soviet-era pipelines officially ceased on New Year’s Day, ending Moscow’s decades-long dominance over Europe’s energy markets. The move marks a significant shift in geopolitical energy dynamics, with far-reaching implications for both Russia and the European Union.
RELATED NEWS : Russian air-defense system downed Azerbaijan plane, sources say
The shutdown was confirmed at 0500 GMT, as Russia’s state energy company Gazprom stated that Ukraine had refused to renew a transit agreement that expired on Wednesday. “Due to the repeated and clearly expressed refusal of the Ukrainian side to renew these agreements, Gazprom was deprived of the technical and legal ability to supply gas for transit through the territory of Ukraine from January 1, 2025,” the company said via Telegram.
Ukraine’s Energy Minister German Galushchenko hailed the move as a historic milestone. “We stopped the transit of Russian gas. This is a historic event. Russia is losing its markets; it will suffer financial losses. Europe has already made the decision to abandon Russian gas,” Galushchenko declared in a statement.
Despite nearly three years of war, gas flows had continued uninterrupted until this decisive halt. Ukraine has been a critical transit hub, delivering Russian natural gas to several European countries, including Slovakia, Moldova, and Hungary. However, Kyiv had previously warned it would not renew the five-year transit agreement, citing the ongoing military conflict with Russia as a key factor in its decision.
Unlike the energy crisis of 2022, when reduced Russian gas supplies drove record-high prices, this anticipated stoppage is not expected to significantly impact European Union consumers. The bloc has largely diversified its energy supplies, reducing its dependence on Russian gas in response to the war in Ukraine.
This development marks the end of an era for Europe’s reliance on Russian energy and reinforces its commitment to alternative energy sources. For Russia, the loss of key European markets underscores the broader economic repercussions of its actions in Ukraine, potentially accelerating its financial struggles in the face of international sanctions.
SOURCE : AGENCIES | Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |
