The energy supply stoppage came as Ukraine refused to renew its transit agreement with Russia (Representational image)
Russia can no longer send gas to Europe through pipelines in Ukraine as Kyiv refused to renew a transit agreement that was brokered before Moscow began its invasion.
The gas exports officially ended on New Year’s Day, halting a decades-long energy relationship that persisted despite the war between the two nations.
According to Ukraine, the gas exports helped Russia fund its war efforts.
The move marks a symbolic and economic blow to Moscow’s dominance in the EU energy market, which has significantly reduced in the past few years. Russian gas via Ukraine dropped from 65 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2020 to 15 bcm in 2023.
The European Commission says the EU has prepared for the cut-off since the Russia-Ukraine war began. It bought more piped gas from Norway and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and the US. Countries, including Slovakia and Austria, secured alternative supplies.
Hungary will continue receiving Russian gas via the TurkStream pipeline under the Black Sea.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies like the US to boost LNG exports to Europe.