Russia ceases gas transit through Ukraine, impacts Slovakia
The Russian company Gazprom announced on Wednesday that it has halted gas exports to Europe through Ukraine starting at 10 p.m. Eastern Time, when the transit agreement for this resource expired.
On Wednesday morning, the five-year agreement between Moscow and Kyiv for gas transit through Ukraine expired. "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," Gazprom declared.
Russia halts gas exports through Ukraine
Ukraine announced on Wednesday that the transit of Russian gas had been halted due to national security concerns. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko described the move as a historic milestone.
Zelensky: Russia cannot make profits
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, justifying the decision to halt the transit, said that he does not want Russia to continue earning billions on the blood of Ukrainian citizens.
After Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine broke out, the European Union made efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy carriers by seeking alternative sources.
The halt of gas transit through Ukraine could impact Slovakia, which used to buy Russian resources transported through Ukrainian territory. On Friday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened Ukraine by cutting off electricity if Kyiv fulfilled its promises and stopped Russian gas transit to his country after the New Year.
