Without Russian gas through Ukraine, EU affirms "living well", warns businesses of a dangerous problem

"There is no excuse, the 27-member bloc can live well without Russian gas," EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said.

The important gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine will expire on December 31. (Source: ubn.news)

The above statement was made by Ms. Kadri Simson at a press conference after the meeting of EU Energy Ministers on October 15.

However, she also warned gas businesses in the region that any potential new deal to maintain gas flows from Russia through Ukraine would be a “dangerous” option.

A key gas transit deal between Moscow and Kiev expires on December 31. Ukraine has said it will not extend the deal.

The European Commission is fully prepared for a scenario where there is no gas transit by using alternative supply routes and relying on large gas storage capacities, Ms Simson said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also stressed that Ukraine would decide the future of the gas pipeline, while EU officials said they would not participate in new negotiations.

If this gas route is lost, it could intensify the battle between Europe and Asia over liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies.

The transit route via Kiev is used by Moscow to transport about 50% of its total pipeline gas exports to Europe, including Türkiye, and about 10% of Moscow's total annual gas exports.

The pipeline starts at Russia's Urengoy gas field before entering Ukraine via the Sudzha gauging station in Kursk Oblast. The gas enters the EU in Slovakia before branching off to Austria and Hungary.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/khong-co-khi-dot-nga-qua-ukraine-eu-khang-dinh-song-tot-canh-bao-doanh-nghiep-mot-van-de-nguy-hiem-290485.html