Russia halts gas exports to Europe via Ukraine By Reuters

MOSCOW, Reuters – Russian energy giant Gazprom ( MCX: ) said on Wednesday that gas exports through Ukraine to Europe had been halted since 08:00 Moscow time (05:00 GMT) because of a transit deal. has expired.

The closure of Russia’s ancient gas route to Europe ends a decade of strained relations stemming from Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Russia is still exporting gas through the Turkish Stream pipeline located on the bottom of the Black Sea.

The European Union has redoubled its efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy after the outbreak of military conflict in Ukraine in 2022, looking for alternative sources.

A five-year gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expired in the early hours of January 1, 2025, while Kiev has repeatedly said it would not renew the agreement amid war.

“Due to the repeated and clearly expressed refusal of the Ukrainian side to extend these agreements, Gazprom has been deprived of the technical and legal ability to supply transit gas through the territory of Ukraine from January 1, 2025,” Gazprom said in a statement. Telegram messaging app.

“From 08:00 Moscow time, the supply of Russian gas for its transportation through the territory of Ukraine is not carried out.”