Wed Jan 01 03:18:52 UTC 2025: ## Ukraine Halts Russian Gas Transit to Europe, Sparking Concerns in Eastern EU

**Kyiv, Ukraine** – Ukraine has ended Russian gas transit to the European Union, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing energy conflict stemming from Russia’s invasion. The move, effective January 1st, follows the refusal of Naftogaz, Ukraine’s gas transit operator, to renew a five-year transit agreement with Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned energy giant.

President Volodymyr Zelensky justified the decision, stating that Ukraine will not allow Russia to profit from its ongoing war. While giving the EU a year’s notice, he emphasized that the country would not permit Russia to earn “billions on our blood.”

The termination primarily impacts Austria and Slovakia, which relied heavily on the Ukrainian transit route for Russian gas supplies. Austria, having already terminated its long-term contract with Gazprom, anticipates minimal disruption due to prior preparations. However, Slovakia, whose leader Robert Fico openly supports the Kremlin, sharply criticized the move, threatening to retaliate by cutting off electricity supplies to Ukraine.

Hungary, which receives its Russian gas via the TurkStream pipeline, remains largely unaffected. Moldova, however, faces a severe crisis. Already facing a state of emergency, Moldova is struggling with reduced Russian gas supplies and accusations from its prime minister of oppressive tactics from Gazprom, which halted deliveries citing a debt dispute.

While Russia’s European gas market share has plummeted since the invasion – from approximately 35% to around 8% – the EU believes the impact of this specific transit halt will be limited due to the already reduced volumes. The EU is confident that alternative sources, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US, Norway, and Qatar, can fully replace the lost Russian gas.

Other EU nations are stepping in to assist affected countries. The Czech Republic and Poland offer to aid Slovakia, while Austria can assist both Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The EU Commission asserts that Ukraine’s own gas supply remains secure as it does not rely on Russian transit gas. The long-term implications of this move on the geopolitical energy landscape remain to be seen.

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