Dec 20, 2024

The EU and Zelensky have a conversation about the transit of natural gas through Ukraine.

Leaders of the European Union are in discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the transit of Russian natural gas to the EU through Ukraine, as the current transit agreement is set to expire on December 31.

The meeting between the EU leaders and Zelensky is taking place in Brussels to explore alternatives for Russian gas deliveries.

The gas transit agreement for the flow of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine is due to expire on December 31, 2024.

Ukraine has repeatedly stated that it will not engage in discussions to renew the agreement with Russia.

According to Bloomberg, EU officials and the Ukrainian president are now seeking alternatives.

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob indicated that there is little chance of extending the transit deal beyond December 31, 2024.

"Realistically, no," Golob responded to Bloomberg when asked about the possibility of an extension.

Gazprom, the Russian gas giant, has also indicated in its internal planning for 2025 that it expects not to supply gas to Europe via Ukraine starting January 1.

Despite Russia cutting off gas deliveries to many EU countries, several member states, including Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, continue to receive Russian gas through the Ukrainian route.

Over the past month, the supply of Russian pipeline natural gas to Europe via Ukraine has remained steady, even after Gazprom ceased deliveries to Austria's OMV in mid-November.

Last month, the Austrian company announced it would enforce an arbitration award won against Gazprom regarding gas supplies.

Consequently, Gazprom stopped supplying OMV, but other clients in Austria are still receiving Russian gas, and new buyers have stepped in to cover the gap left by OMV.

Earlier this month, Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR began supplying natural gas to Slovakia's state-owned energy company SPP, following the signing of a short-term pilot contract to purchase gas from Azerbaijan in anticipation of a cut-off in Russian supplies via Ukraine.