Sign in Subscribe
European Union

EU Prepares to Stop Russian Gas Transit Through Ukraine by Year-End

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The European Union (EU) is on track to completely halt the transit of Russian gas through the Ukrainian gas transport system by the end of the current contract in December 2024, according to European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson. The EU has been preparing for this situation and has found alternative supply routes for member states and companies that still receive gas from Russia. Simson stated that Ukraine's gas transport infrastructure is also part of the EU's infrastructure, which is valued as Ukraine is a gas producer and stores European gas in its facilities. The EU has reduced gas demand by 138 billion cubic meters from August 2022 to May 2024 and has reached its 90% winter gas storage target on August 19, 2024, well ahead of the November 1 deadline.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU is preparing to stop Russian gas transit through Ukraine by December 2024, with alternative supply routes identified.
  • Ukraine's gas transport infrastructure is valued by the EU as it stores European gas and Ukraine is a gas producer.
  • The EU reduced gas demand by 138 billion cubic meters from August 2022 to May 2024.
  • The EU reached its 90% winter gas storage target on August 19, 2024, well ahead of the November 1 deadline.
  • The share of Russian gas in EU imports fell from 45% in 2021 to 18% by June 2024.
  • Imports from reliable partners such as Norway and the U.S. increased.
  • Ukraine reduced Russian gas transit by 28.5% to 14.65 billion cubic meters in 2023 compared to 2022.

Statistics:

  • 45%: Share of Russian gas in EU imports in 2021.
  • 18%: Share of Russian gas in EU imports by June 2024.
  • 138 billion cubic meters: Reduction in EU gas demand from August 2022 to May 2024.
  • 90%: EU's winter gas storage target reached on August 19, 2024.
  • 14.65 billion cubic meters: Ukrainian gas transit of Russian gas in 2023.
  • 65 billion cubic meters: Ukrainian gas transit of Russian gas in 2020.
  • 40 billion cubic meters: Ukrainian gas transit of Russian gas in 2021-2024.

Sources:

  • [Interfax-Ukraine] - The full original text is used, with all dates and statistics preserved as they appear in the source.
  • [Ukrainian News Agency] - Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement informing that Ukraine does not want to extend the contract with Russia for the transit of gas to Europe, instead considering alternative suppliers like Azerbaijan.
  • [Naftogaz of Ukraine, Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine, and Gazprom] - The agreement on the transit of Russian gas to Europe through the territory of Ukraine from 2020.

Read more