Ukraine has taken a bold step in stopping the transit of Russian gas to EU states after a longstanding agreement expired. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made it clear that his country would not allow Russia to profit at their expense, stating that they had given the EU a year to make alternative arrangements.
This move comes after years of tension between Ukraine and Russia, with Ukraine accusing Russia of using gas as a political weapon. Russia, however, still has the option to send gas to Hungary, Turkey, and Serbia through the TurkStream pipeline that runs under the Black Sea.
The European Commission has assured that the continent’s gas system is prepared to handle the change, describing it as “resilient and flexible”. However, Slovakia may face disruption as a result of this decision, and Moldova, which is not a part of the EU, is already experiencing shortages.
This development marks a significant shift in the energy dynamics between Russia, Ukraine, and the EU. It remains to be seen how this change will impact energy security in the region and how the EU will adapt to this new reality.
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