The EC has developed solutions in the event of Ukraine’s refusal to transit gas – Kommersant

The European Commission (EC) has prepared possible scenarios following Ukraine’s refusal to renew the contract for the transit of Russian gas, writes Bloomberg with reference to sources. Possible options will be discussed with representatives of European Union (EU) countries in February, and then formally presented at a meeting of energy ministers in March.

The European Commission considered that it would be possible to compensate for a possible gas shortage if Ukraine refuses transit through alternative routes. It is also proposed to modernize the capacity of other gas pipelines, including Turkish Stream. According to Bloomberg sources, the EC is convinced that even the countries most dependent on Russian gas – including Austria and Slovakia – will be provided with supplies.

According to one of the agency’s sources, countries and companies whose contracts will be valid after 2024 may receive Russian gas through Ukraine through separate agreements. Thus, EU members can separately negotiate directly with Ukraine on the transit of Russian gas, Bloomberg writes.

The transit of Russian gas through the gas transportation system of Ukraine in 2023 decreased by 28.4%, to 14.6 billion cubic meters. m. Agreement between Naftogaz of Ukraine and Gazprom for the transit of 40 billion cubic meters. m per year signed on December 30, 2019. It ends in 2024.

The day before, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, after a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal, said that gas transportation through Ukraine would continue. Following this statement, the Ukrainian government reportedthat the authorities will not renew the contract for Russian gas after 2024. In the Kremlin statedthat this will lead to changes in all supply chains.

What the Slovak and Ukrainian prime ministers agreed to – in the Kommersant material “They put pressure on Slovakia diplomatically.”

Lusine Balasyan