
The flow of Russian gas to EU states via Ukraine has ceased following the expiration of a five-year transit agreement, signalling the end of a decades-long energy arrangement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the situation, stating that Ukraine would not allow Russia to profit from its suffering, while Poland hailed the cut-off as a victory against Moscow.
The European Commission assured that most EU states are prepared for this change, although Moldova, not an EU member, is already experiencing gas shortages. Gazprom confirmed that gas exports to Europe via Ukraine halted at 08:00 local time on Wednesday.
While Russia can still supply gas to Hungary, Turkey, and Serbia through the TurkStream pipeline, the loss of the Ukrainian route represents a significant market shift. Before the war, Russian gas accounted for 40% of the EU’s imports, but this figure dropped to under 10% in 2023.
Slovakia, now a key transit point for Russian gas, faces increased costs as it shifts to alternative supply routes. Prime Minister Robert Fico warned of “drastic” consequences for the EU, while Zelensky accused him of aiding Russia’s efforts against Ukraine.
Moldova is particularly vulnerable, relying heavily on Russian gas for electricity. The government has declared a state of emergency in the energy sector amidst accusations of Russian blackmail.
As Europe seeks to diversify its energy sources, it has turned to liquefied natural gas from Qatar and the US, as well as piped gas from Norway, signaling a significant shift in energy dynamics following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.