EU ready to stop Russian gas transit through Ukraine starting 1 January

Europe is ready to stop the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine from 1 January 2025. Besides, the European Commission does not comment on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's visit to Moscow.

Source: spokesperson for European Commission, as reported by Ukrinform 

Quote from EU Commission spokesperson: "The cessation of the flow [of gas] through Ukraine from 1 January is an expected event, and the EU is ready for it."

Details: The spokesperson reminded that the European Commission, in coordination with member states, had been working for more than a year to prepare for a scenario in which Russian gas would not be supplied through Ukraine from 1 January 2025 and to provide alternative gas supply routes for member states that could be affected by such a transit interruption. 

"The European gas infrastructure is flexible enough to ensure that non-Russian gas supplies to Central and Eastern Europe can be delivered via alternative routes. Since 2022, it has been significantly strengthened by new LNG [liquefied natural gas - ed.] import capacities."

In addition, the spokesperson said, the security of gas supplies to the EU has been significantly improved over the past few years thanks to measures to ensure efficient use of energy and the development of renewable energy sources.

"The negative impact of the end of [gas] transit through Ukraine on the security of EU supply is limited."

At the same time, the spokesperson noted that the European Commission will not comment on the Slovak Prime Minister Fico's visit to Moscow at this time.

Background: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that his Sunday meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin was a response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement about suspending Russian gas transit.

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