As previously announced, Ukraine stopped the transit of Russian gas through its territory on New Year’s Day. On January 1, the agreement with Russia on the delivery of raw materials expired, and Ukraine did not renew it. This decision applies to several European countries, including Slovakia. Ukrainian politician Yevgeny Mahda said that Kiev’s decision to extend the contract for the transit of Russian gas increases the chances of Ukraine winning the war with Russia and strengthens the security of Europe.
Ukraine has decided not to renew the gas transit agreement with Russia, which expires on January 1, 2025.
“Russia will lose part of the revenue from gas sales, which will mean less money for the war and less to prepare for further expansion,” says political analyst Yevgeny Makhda, head of the Kyiv Institute of World Policy.
Mahda came to the conclusion that Kiev cannot agree to maintain Russian gas transit through its territory in the conditions of war. – This five-year contract, which is now ending, was concluded under completely different conditions. Currently, the situation has completely changed, because Russia’s widespread aggression has been going on for more than a thousand days, and it is strange that Ukraine would extend it now, he emphasized.
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The Russian section of the “Voice of America” radio noted that Ukraine will lose about $800 million in gas transit fees from Russia every year, while Gazprom could lose about $5 billion from selling gas to Europe through Ukraine.
“Russia has repeatedly said it could change the direction of the shipment.”
– The fact that, despite the war, Ukraine did not violate the agreement was probably due to concerns about possible sanctions. But note that Russia has not declared war, but claims that it is carrying out so-called special military operations against us. I think that Russia did not declare war in order not to jeopardize such agreements, he added.
The political analyst said that by not renewing the transit agreement, Kiev “behaved honorably”, especially since it respected its obligations to the European receivers of Russian gas.
-Ukraine fulfilled its obligations, let Russia look for the opportunity to sell its gas. Let him build the “Power of Siberia 2” gas pipeline and sell gas to China. Russia has repeatedly said that it can change the direction of the shipment, Mahda said.
In response to a question about the actions of Robert Fico, the prime minister of Slovakia, who criticizes Ukraine’s gas policy, including the suspension of the announcement of transit of Russian gas to Slovakia, the political scientist gave an example from Germany. – In 2022, Germany, which was the largest importer of Russian gas, gave up on it. If Germany could do it, Slovakia can too, if it wants to, concluded the political scientist.
Ukraine’s dispute with Slovakia over gas delivery
On December 19, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that he told the Prime Minister of Slovakia that he would allow the transit of gas to his country, provided that it does not come from Russia. “If the country is ready to guarantee us that it will not pay Russia until the end of the war, then this is a potential opportunity,” he said. – We can think about it, but there is no question of additional billions for the Russian Federation, which will be spent on the war, – said the president of Ukraine.
– By the way, when Slovakia raised this issue, they said that they will suffer because stopping the transit is expensive for them, I want to say that Ukraine will suffer much more. “To be honest, it’s a bit embarrassing to talk about money in wartime, because we lose people,” Zelensky added.
Slovakia has signed an agreement with Gazprom, which includes the delivery of gas until 2028. Following Ukraine’s decision to suspend the transit of Russian gas, its western neighbor will have to pay more for importing gas through another route. President Zelensky announced that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico refused to accept compensation from Ukraine for damages. Moreover, Fico met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on December 22 of last year and talked with him about gas delivery. The Prime Minister of Slovakia also threatened Ukraine that he will stop the transmission of electricity if the decision to stop the transit comes into force.
READ ALSO: Fico threatens to cut off electricity in Ukraine if Kiev cuts off Russian gas transit
Main photo source: Reuters
