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The European Commission has assured that it is ready to finalise the agreement regulating the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine by 31 December. This was a response to criticism by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, German news agency DPA reported.
European energy infrastructure ready for change
A spokesman for the European Commission said on Monday evening that the EU’s gas transmission infrastructure is flexible enough to allow for the supply of gas from alternative sources to Central and Eastern Europe.
“The impact of the completion of the agreement on the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine on the EU’s energy security is limited,” the European Commission representative said.
Ukraine stops transit of Russian gas
Ukraine, which has been resisting full-scale Russian aggression for almost three years, will stop transiting Russian gas from the beginning of 2024. The contract, which expires on 31 December, will not be extended, as Kyiv had announced long before.
Criticism from Slovakia
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, whose country is one of the key buyers of Russian gas, criticised Ukraine’s decision. In a letter to the European Commission, he said that “accepting tacit consent” to Ukraine’s actions was “wrong and irrational” and could lead to “increased tensions and mutual sanctions”.
Fico, who is considered to be close to the Kremlin, also threatened that Slovakia could cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine.
Europe is ready for new conditions
The European Commission reported that over the past year, it has been working with all member states on a scenario of a complete cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine. Mechanisms for alternative supplies, energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy sources have been developed, which has significantly strengthened Europe’s energy security.
Reducing dependence on Russian gas
It should be noted that the volume of Russian gas supplies through Ukraine is already relatively low. In 2023, Russia transported only about 15 billion cubic metres of gas through Ukraine, which is only 8% of the maximum flows recorded in 2018-2019.
