Ukraine prepared in advance to halt Russian gas transit — Ukraine’s energy minister
Фото: Міністерство енергетики
Ukraine has fully prepared to ensure a stable gas supply to consumers in the event of a complete halt in Russian natural gas transit, in line with national security priorities.
Rubryka reports this, citing the Ministry of Energy.
"We have conducted a series of stress tests on our gas system to guarantee that, even after transit ceases, we can operate reliably and continue to supply gas to consumers," said Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.
Ukraine has maintained a clear and consistent stance on gas transit.
"We have consistently communicated that transit will stop starting January 1, 2025. Our position remains unchanged, and we have been preparing for this transition," Halushchenko added.
Addressing remarks from Slovak leadership regarding potential suspension of electricity supplies to Ukraine in response to the end of gas transit, Halushchenko described such a move as a serious violation of European regulations.
The Minister of Energy has already reached out to the EU Energy Commissioner, ENTSO-E, and the Energy Community with a formal letter on the matter.
Ukraine has mechanisms in place to replace electricity imports from Slovakia with supplies from other neighboring countries ready to increase their capacities. Negotiations with these partners have already been conducted.
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko highlighted that Slovakia's electricity imports are necessary solely because of Russia's aggression, which has led to the occupation and destruction of parts of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
"We must understand that electricity imports, as our President clearly stated, are a direct consequence of Russia's occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and its systematic destruction of our generation facilities over the past three years," Halushchenko said.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico recently stated that Slovakia might halt electricity supplies to Ukraine starting January 1, 2025, if Kyiv stops the transit of Russian natural gas through Ukrainian territory.
Notably, on December 22, Fico visited Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following the meeting, Fico claimed his visit was in response to Ukraine's decision to end Russian gas transit to Europe. On December 27, Fico reiterated his threat to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine, exacerbating the country's energy shortages caused by Russian attacks. He also warned that halting Russian gas transit would cost the EU an additional €120 billion ($125 billion) in electricity expenses over the next two years.
Despite Fico's statements, Oleksandr Kharchenko, Director of the Energy Research Center, assured that this threat does not pose a serious risk to Ukraine's energy supply.
President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that Fico might be acting under Moscow's influence to disrupt Ukraine's energy security.
