The European Union said that it had been preparing for two years for a lack of gas from Russia

Europe has other ways to ensure gas supplies other than transit through Ukraine, the European Commission reported. The contract between Gazprom and Naftogaz expires at the end of 2024, Kyiv has already warned that it will not renew it.

European countries are filling gas storage facilities and working to diversify supplies; a return to normal relations with Russia is impossible, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said at a meeting with the head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy German Galushchenko.

“The EU is not interested in extending the gas transit contract with the Russians. We have been preparing for the expiration of this contract for two years since the gas market manipulation began, and we have alternative options to ensure security of supply,” Simson explained.

She emphasized that the European Union is focused on providing maximum support to Ukraine and the speedy abandonment of Russian gas.

The contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine expires at the end of 2024. The transit line through Ukraine is the only route for pipeline gas supplies from Russia to the countries of Western and Central Europe. The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and Naftogaz explained that the current transit was not interrupted due to the gas needs of the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovakia.

The Ukrainian authorities pointed to the interest of European countries in gas supplies and noted: Kyiv will not negotiate with Moscow, but can transfer its gas transportation network for use by a European country.

By early March, the European Commission plans to receive a plan for continuing the import of Russian gas if transit through Ukraine is not extended, Bloomberg previously found out. Companies whose contracts are valid after 2024 can receive gas on the border of Ukraine and Russia, where the Russian side will supply the fuel, and further transportation will be handled by a European company that has entered into a contract with Kiev, the agency’s source said.