The United States is not against completing the transit of Muscovite gas through Ukraine. Deputy Secretary of State Geoffrey Pyatt said that the United States hopes that the end of the contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine will be a powerful step towards ending the era of European dependence on Muscovite energy resources.
Commenting on the pressure on Ukraine to extend the contract on the transit of Muscovite gas, Paett noted for Voice of America that “it is important that the pressure comes from only one or two countries, and the signal from the European Commission is very clear.”
Trade in energy resources, especially gas, has been the main vector of Russian influence on the Ukrainian economy since independence. So why on earth would anyone be interested in continuing this relationship? – he noted.
The contract between Ukraine and Russia for gas transit expires on January 1, 2025. Europe has already taken steps to prepare for a transit stop. The share of Russian gas in Europe dropped to 6%, and the share of Russian gas flowing through Ukraine to 4%.
Austria and Slovakia, which purchased more than 90% of gas from Russia last year, are considered the most vulnerable. Due to concerns about gas supplies across Russia, the Moldovan parliament on Friday, December 13, voted to introduce a state of emergency in the energy sector, fearing about ensuring gas supplies to Transnistria, which is controlled by Russia.
Slovakia and Hungary are making efforts at the state level to ensure that Ukraine continues the transit of Russian gas. On Monday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico spoke by phone about this with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Smigal. Over the weekend, Fico said his country was holding “very intensive” negotiations to ensure Ukraine continues transiting Russian gas in 2025.
Smigal on Monday in a social media post rejected the possibility of extending the agreement with Gazprom. He, however, said: “If the European Commission officially contacts Ukraine regarding the transit of any gas other than Russian, we, of course, will discuss this and are ready to reach an appropriate agreement based on the principles of energy security of both the entire EU and each European nation. ”
On Tuesday, a number of companies from Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Italy wrote to the European Commission complaining that the end of the agreement “will lead to higher prices for consumers in Europe” and “will complicate gas supplies.”
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.