Key Points:
End of Oil Transit: Beginning January 1, 2025, Ukraine will cease the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which has been used to transport Russian oil to several European countries, including Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.
Diversification Required: According to EU resolutions, these countries are expected to diversify their oil supply sources and stop relying on transit through Ukraine. This move aligns with broader European efforts to reduce dependency on Russian energy.
Gas Transit: The halt is not limited to oil; it also extends to the transit of Russian gas. The current gas transit agreement between Ukraine and Russia is set to expire at the end of 2024, and Ukraine has no plans to renew it.
Potential for Other Suppliers: Ukraine is open to continuing gas transit for other suppliers, such as Kazakhstan or Azerbaijan, if European countries express a need for it. President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has indicated that Kyiv is ready to consider such requests from its European partners.
President Zelenskyi's Statement: Zelenskyi emphasized that the decision to end the contract with Russia is final. He also mentioned that Ukraine is prepared to discuss alternative gas transit options if requested by European nations.
This development marks a significant shift in the energy dynamics of the region, as Ukraine takes steps to reduce its role in the transit of Russian energy resources, in line with broader European efforts to diminish reliance on Russian oil and gas.
