Complicated Situation Regarding Russian Gas Transit through Ukraine

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia stated on Monday that the situation concerning European countries purchasing its gas through a transit deal via Ukraine is increasingly complex and requires more attention, following discussions between President Vladimir Putin and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Ukraine has declared it will not renew a five-year transit deal for Russian gas to Europe, expiring at the end of the year, citing a refusal to assist Moscow’s military efforts.

The flow through Ukraine represents about half of Russia's total pipeline gas exports to Europe. Slovakia, Italy, Austria, and the Czech Republic will be significantly impacted if the deal ends.

Kremlin-controlled Gazprom also exports gas to Europe via the TurkStream pipeline across the Black Sea.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned he could not elaborate on Sunday’s discussions between Putin and Fico, which also touched on bilateral relations and the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Fico remarked that Putin confirmed Russia's intent to keep supplying gas to Slovakia; however, he noted that this would be “practically impossible” once the gas transit agreement with Ukraine expires. The potential solutions discussed by the two leaders remained unclear.

Hungary has expressed interest in maintaining the Ukrainian route but will continue receiving Russian gas from the south through the TurkStream pipeline.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy commented last week that renewing the transit deal might be possible but under conditions that Russia would not receive payment for gas until after the war — a stipulation Moscow is unlikely to accept.

Peskov stated, “You heard the statement from the Ukrainian side, and you know about the positions of those European countries that continue to buy Russian gas and that consider this necessary for the normal operation of their economies. Therefore, there is now a very complicated situation here that requires increased attention.”

Putin indicated last week that a new deal with Kyiv for sending Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe was highly unlikely.