Ukraine will stop the transit of Russian gas to Europe

Russian gas accounted for less than 10% of EU gas imports in 2023. according to the numbers of the block, externalcompared to 40% in 2021.

But several EU members, including Slovakia and Austria, continue to import significant amounts of gas from Russia.

Austria’s energy regulator said it did not foresee any supply cuts because it has a variety of sources and is stockpiling reserves.

However, Ukraine’s decision has already caused serious tension with Slovakia, which is the main entry point for Russian gas to the EU and earns transit fees from transporting gas to Austria, Hungary and Italy.

On Friday, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico – did just one A surprise trip to Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to stop the supply of electricity to Ukraine.

This led Mr Zelenskiy to accuse him of helping Mr Putin “fund the war and weaken Ukraine”.

“Fico is dragging Slovakia into Russia’s attempts to inflict more suffering on Ukrainians,” the Ukrainian president said.

Poland has offered to support Kiev if Slovakia halts electricity exports – crucial for Ukraine, whose power plants are regularly attacked by Russia.

Moldova, which is not part of the EU, could be seriously affected by the end of the transit agreement. The gas fueled the power plant, which supplied most of Moldova’s electricity needs. It also secured the Russian-backed separatist region of Transnistria, a small strip of land sandwiched between Moldova and Ukraine.

According to Moldova’s Energy Minister Constantin Borosa, the government has taken steps to ensure a stable energy supply to the country, but urged citizens to conserve energy. In Moldova, a 60-day state of emergency has been implemented in the energy sector since mid-December.

President Maia Sandu has accused the Kremlin of “blackmail” aimed at destabilizing her country ahead of general elections in 2025. The Moldovan government has also said that it has offered aid to Transnistria.