The European Union is looking for alternative supply routes in case the agreement on gas transit through Russia through Ukraine is not extended.
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Bloomberg sources claim that EU countries are preparing for the fact that the agreement on the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, which expires at the end of the year, will not be extended.
The European Commission argues that even the countries most dependent on Russian supplies, such as Austria and Slovakia, will be able to find alternative sources of supply in the event of a supply interruption.
The European Commission has preliminary analyzed potential scenarios that may arise as a result of the termination of the transit agreement. Capacity modeling of other pipelines such as Turkish Stream has also been carried out to help offset any shortfalls.
The bloc’s executive authorities will discuss the issue with member states in February before formally presenting the plan to energy ministers at a meeting in Brussels on March 4, agency sources said.
One of the sources acknowledged there could still be ways for countries and companies with contracts after 2024 to secure gas through Ukraine.
One method would be for Russia to supply gas to the Ukrainian border, and then an EU entity to enter into an agreement with Kyiv’s gas transmission system operator to transport the gas to Austria, Slovakia or the Czech Republic – the three countries most dependent on supplies from Moscow.
Slovakia says Ukraine is open to transit of Russian gas after 2024. Ukraine this week countered that it was ready to review a transit agreement with Russia after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said there was such a possibility.
Source: Racurs
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