Ukraine has ceased the transit of Russian natural gas through its pipelines to Europe as a prewar transit agreement has come to an end. The decision, prompted by national security concerns, follows long-standing tensions between the two nations, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously indicating a refusal to let Russia profit from these transits during ongoing conflict. Gazprom, Russia’s state gas company, announced it couldn’t technically and legally continue gas flows without the agreement’s extension.
Historically, Russia supplied up to 40% of the European Union’s pipeline natural gas via multiple routes, including Ukraine. However, Russia has progressively reduced its gas flow through several pipelines following disputes and an incident of sabotage in the Baltic Sea. The European Union has responded to Russia’s actions with measures to eliminate dependence on Russian gas by 2027, already procuring significant supplies from Norway and the United States.
The expiration of the transit deal notably affects countries like Austria and Slovakia, who have been compelled to seek alternative sources, including agreements for liquefied natural gas imports. Moldova faces a particularly severe impact, as it has already coped with past Russian supplies’ interruptions and now braces for a potentially critical energy shortage during winter.
Moldova, amid tensions and an unpaid debt dispute with Gazprom, has declared a state of emergency in the energy sector. Meanwhile, Moldova’s breakaway region, Transnistria, has already experienced the immediate impacts, with Russian gas flow cessation leading to essential service stoppages.
The European continent continues to adapt to the shifting energy landscape, striving to integrate Ukraine into its energy networks while reducing Russian energy reliance, marking another twist in the complex geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.
