Russian Foreign Ministry warned about the consequences of Ukraine’s refusal to transit Russian gas

If the agreement on gas transit from Russia is not extended, Ukraine will strike at the EU countries. This was stated by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Galuzin.

According to him, Ukraine in this way will not only greatly harm the EU, but also “shoot itself in the foot, having lost dividends from transit.” “Such a situation will have a negative impact on the energy independence of Europe, but will undoubtedly cause the joy of Washington, which seeks its economic and political dependence and seeks to profit as much as possible from the Ukrainian crisis,” informed Galuzin (TASS quote).

Galuzin specified that Ukraine has not yet announced its intention to withdraw from the agreement through official channels.

June 1, ex-head of the Austrian oil and gas company OMV Gerhard Reuss declaredthat Ukraine will not renew the gas transit contract with Russia, which expires at the end of 2024.

May 24 The Washington Post wrotethat Ukraine does not plan to refuse the transit of Russian energy resources through its territory, since “Kyiv needs the money that it earns on transit.” The newspaper also notes that due to the stoppage of transit, some of the countries may face rising prices, and Ukraine wants to be a reliable partner of European states.

On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin declaredthat Ukraine continues to “safely cash out money” for the transit of Russian gas through its Gas Transportation System (GTS), despite the fact that it calls Russia an aggressor. He stressed that Russia is conscientiously fulfilling all its obligations to partners in the energy sector, and past attempts to link its actions with the energy crisis in Europe are unjustified.

The throughput capacity of the Ukrainian GTS on the border with Russia is 288 billion cubic meters. m per year. Under the current contract, under the “pump or pay” condition, Russia must supply 40 billion cubic meters to Europe through Ukraine. m of gas per year (109 million cubic meters per day). The current contract, signed at the end of 2019, expires in 2024.

The transit of gas from Russia to the EU via the GTS of Ukraine fell sharply in May 2022, when Kiev refused to accept applications for pumping fuel through the Sokhranovka gas measuring station (GIS) in the Rostov region, from where gas is supplied to the territory of the LPR. Since then, transportation has been carried out only through the Sudzha GIS in the Kursk region, from where the fuel goes to the GTS in the Ukrainian-controlled Sumy region. Early May 2022Gazprom” delivered 92–99 million cubic meters in transit through Ukraine. m of gas per day, after the blocking of applications for GIS “Sokhanovka” daily pumping fell by more than half to 41-43 million cubic meters. m.