Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that the agreement allowing Russian gas transit through Ukraine to Central Europe will not be extended after the end of the year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the agreement facilitating Russian gas transit through Ukraine to Central Europe will not be renewed after its expiration at the end of the year.
Speaking at his annual press conference, Putin stated that the deal, which has been crucial for gas supplies to several EU countries, will come to an end, regardless of the lack of a clear alternative. “This agreement will no longer exist, it’s clear, but that’s okay, we will survive, Gazprom will survive,” Putin remarked.
At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels reaffirmed that Ukraine will not extend the gas transit agreement once it expires. He expressed disappointment that some countries are concerned about potentially higher gas prices, while Ukrainians are sacrificing lives to defend their country from the ongoing invasion.
Russia had already cut gas supplies to Germany and Poland following its invasion of Ukraine, but some EU member states, including Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria, have continued to receive Russian gas via Ukraine.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called for an agreement to continue gas transit through Ukraine, announcing that he would raise the issue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the upcoming European Council meeting.
