Ukraine is actively strengthening its energy security and independence, Galushchenko said.

Ukraine does not plan to renew the transit contract with Russia’s Gazprom after December 31, 2024, when it expires.

This was stated by the Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko on the air of an information telethon. “I can confirm that we do not plan to enter into any additional agreements or extend this agreement,” he said.

Galushchenko recalled that a stress test of the Ukrainian gas transportation system and underground gas storage facilities was carried out in 2023. He demonstrated that the system can function without transit.

Also, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson stated that the European Union is not interested in extending the transit contract with the aggressor country. “There is an EU initiative, RepowerEU, which provides that by 2027, European countries will completely get rid of Russian gas, not only pipeline gas, but all gas, including LNG,” the minister noted.

According to him, there are now enough alternatives to Russian gas on the market; a number of European countries have already taken this path. For example, Germany has reduced its dependence on Russian gas to almost zero in a year and a half. Meanwhile, Ukraine is actively strengthening its energy security and independence, in particular by increasing domestic gas production.

Gas transit contract: what is known

On December 30, 2019, the Ukrainian Naftogaz signed a five-year contract with the Russian Gazprom for the transit of gas to the countries of the European Union through the territory of Ukraine.

The document provided for a guaranteed supply of 65 billion cubic meters of blue fuel in the first year and a minimum of 40 billion cubic meters in subsequent years.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmygal stated that Ukraine is ready to continue gas transit if European countries need it.