EU ready to stop russian gas transit through Ukraine from January 1

The European Commission does not comment on the visit of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to moscow, but confirms that Europe is ready to stop russian gas transit through Ukraine from January 1, 2025.

This is stated in a written response from a spokesperson for the European Commission to an Ukrinform correspondent's request, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

"The cessation of the flow (of gas) through Ukraine from January 1 is an expected event, and the EU is ready for it," the response states.

The spokesperson recalled that the European Commission, in coordination with member states, has been working for more than a year to prepare for the scenario when there will be no Russian gas flowing through Ukraine from January 1, 2025, and to ensure alternative gas supply routes for member states that may be affected by such a stoppage of transit.

“The European gas infrastructure is flexible enough to ensure the supply of non-Russian gas to Central and Eastern Europe via alternative routes. Since 2022, it has been significantly strengthened by new LNG import capacities (liquefied natural gas – Ed.),” the European Commission spokesman noted.

In addition, according to him, the security of gas supply to the EU has been significantly increased over the past few years thanks to measures for the efficient use of energy and the development of its renewable sources.

“The negative impact of the completion of the transit (of gas) through Ukraine on the security of supply of the EU is limited,” the European Commission representative added.

At the same time, he noted that at this time the European Commission is not commenting on Prime Minister Fico’s visit to moscow.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on December 22, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico arrived in the capital of the aggressor country russia, moscow, to meet with putin.

After meeting with putin, Fico announced on Facebook that he had allegedly warned EU leaders in advance about his visit to the kremlin and tried to justify it by Ukraine's unwillingness to continue the transit of russian gas.