Ukraine stops Russian gas transit to Europe after deal expires

Kyiv

Ukraine ceased the transit of Russian natural gas to Europe on Wednesday, following the expiration of a five-year agreement that had governed the flow of gas through its territory. The Ukrainian Energy Ministry announced that the halt began at 07:00 am local time (0500 GMT) for national security reasons. The decision to stop the transit came after Ukraine notified its international partners about the termination, in line with the established procedures.

Russia’s state-owned gas giant Gazprom confirmed that the suspension of gas supplies through Ukraine was due to the expiration of key agreements between Gazprom and Ukraine’s Naftogaz. The agreements, signed in December 2019, officially expired on January 1, 2025, and Gazprom stated that Ukraine had refused to extend the deal. This left Russia without the legal and technical means to continue the transit.

In response to the shutdown, Ukraine has assured its citizens that the national gas transportation system is prepared for a "zero transit" mode, ensuring a reliable gas supply for domestic consumption. However, the halt of gas transit through Ukraine could have significant implications for European countries that rely on this route for Russian energy.

The Kremlin had already warned that the difficulty of continuing gas transit through Ukraine would require urgent attention. While Russia remains willing to supply gas to Europe, the lack of a renewed agreement has left the situation uncertain. According to reports, the, and if Ukraine agrees to transport non-Russian gas.