Ukraine suspended the transit of Russian gas

This was stated in a statement by the Operator of the Ukrainian GTS (OGTSU).

The term of the transit agreement between Gazprom and Naftohaz ended at 07:00 Kiev time. Thus, natural gas transportation from the Suja entry point on the eastern border of Ukraine to the exit points on the western and southern borders has been terminated.

Preparing for new conditions

Dmytro Lippa, director general of OGTSU, assured that the company's infrastructure was prepared ahead of time to work without Russian gas.

The company has signed agreements to increase its capacity to import gas from Europe, in particular via Poland and the southern direction - the so-called Vertical Corridor.

This is a historic decision that increases the energy security of Ukraine and Europe. We have ensured the necessary optimisation of the system and readiness to work under new conditions," Lippa stressed.

Political context and consequences

Energy Minister German Galushchenko called the cessation of transit a "historic step" in line with the RePowerEU initiative - the EU's strategy to reject Russian energy resources.

Russia is losing markets and Europe is gradually freeing itself from dependence on Russian gas," Galushchenko said in a telethon broadcast.

The decision on non-renewal of the transit contract was made by the Ukrainian government back in 2023. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasised that this step was in Ukraine's national interests.

Reaction from the Russian Federation and the EU

Russia's Gazprom confirmed that Ukraine was no longer providing transit services and called the situation a "loss of technical possibility for gas supply".

At the same time, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo expressed concern, saying the decision could have negative economic consequences for the European Union. In the so-called "Transnistrian Moldovan Republic", which is controlled by Russia, central heating has already been switched off due to the stoppage of Russian gas transit.

What's next

The national GTS claims to be reoriented to serve the domestic market and import gas from European countries. By increasing the guaranteed capacity for imports, Ukraine will ensure stable supplies for its consumers.