Ukraine to Halt Russian Gas Transit to EU Amid Rising Tensions
Ukraine has confirmed it will cease the transit of Russian gas to the European Union starting Wednesday, as the current five-year agreement between Ukraine’s Naftogaz and Russia’s Gazprom expires. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the decision as part of his nation’s broader stance against supporting Russian profits amid the ongoing war.
“We won’t let Russia earn additional billions on our blood,” Zelensky declared, adding that Ukraine had given the EU ample notice to adapt to this shift.
The European Commission has expressed confidence in the continent’s ability to manage the change, describing Europe’s gas infrastructure as “resilient and flexible.” Officials assured that alternative routes and reserves were sufficient to offset the loss of Ukrainian transit.
While the EU has drastically reduced its reliance on Russian gas since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some member states still depend heavily on these supplies. Despite a decline in Russian gas imports to less than 10% of the EU’s total by 2023, compared to 40% in 2021, nations such as Slovakia and Austria remain significant customers.
TurkStream to Sustain Some Deliveries
Russia will maintain gas exports to Hungary, Turkey, and Serbia via the TurkStream pipeline across the Black Sea. Meanwhile, Austria’s energy authority reported no anticipated disruptions, citing diversified sources and robust reserves.
However, Ukraine’s decision has already triggered friction with Slovakia. As the primary entry point for Russian gas into the EU, Slovakia has benefited from transit fees for piping gas to Austria, Hungary, and Italy. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, following a recent visit to Moscow, hinted at retaliatory measures, including halting electricity supplies to Ukraine.
This drew a sharp rebuke from President Zelensky, who accused Fico of aiding Russia’s war efforts and undermining Ukraine. “Fico is dragging Slovakia into Russia’s schemes to cause more suffering for Ukrainians,” he said.
Poland and Moldova Brace for Impact
Poland has stepped up to support Ukraine, offering to provide electricity if Slovakia follows through on its threat. This gesture is critical as Ukraine’s power infrastructure faces regular attacks from Russia.
In Moldova, the end of the gas transit agreement raises alarms. The gas previously powered much of Moldova’s electricity needs, including the Russia-backed breakaway region of Transnistria. Moldovan Energy Minister Constantin Borosan assured citizens that contingency plans were in place but urged energy conservation. Moldova has been under a state of emergency in its energy sector since December.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu accused Moscow of using energy as “blackmail” to destabilize her country ahead of the 2025 elections. Despite this, the Moldovan government has extended aid to Transnistria to mitigate the fallout.
The EU’s Energy Alternatives
The EU has spent years preparing for scenarios like this, diversifying its energy sources. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Qatar and the US, along with piped gas from Norway, now play a crucial role. The European Commission’s contingency plans include routing gas via the Trans-Balkan pipeline through Greece, Turkey, and Romania, while Norway supplies central Europe through Poland.
For over three decades, Russian gas has flowed through Ukraine into Europe. However, as the geopolitical landscape evolves, the EU is determined to sever its energy ties with Moscow entirely. This transition marks a significant shift in Europe’s energy independence and its stance against Russian aggression.
Maps and illustrations showing key pipeline routes into Europe—via Nord Stream, Ukraine, Belarus, and TurkStream—underscore the complexities of this pivotal moment in the region’s energy history.
