Media pointed to a sharp rise in European gas prices after Putin's words

Natural gas prices in Europe have risen after Russian President Vladimir Putin 's words about the possibility of fuel transit through Ukraine. About it on Friday, December 27, writes Bloomberg.

"Futures jumped 5 percent on Friday, the most in a week. Putin said on Thursday that it would be impossible to conclude a new transit contract before the end of the year," - said in the material of the agency.

The publication reports that the price of gas in the Netherlands rose to €47.27 per megawatt-hour, exceeding the value of $500 per 1,000 cubic meters.

Gas for that: Moldavia expects protests after transit through Ukraine is cut off

With whom Chisinau will have to negotiate now

The previous day, Putin said after a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) that the Russian side was also ready to supply gas through Ukraine under a contract with any counterparty, but at the moment this is impossible amid a lawsuit from Kiev. He noted that it would not be possible to conclude a new transit agreement a few days before the New Year.

Before that, on December 22, Putin and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo held talks in Moscow. The Slovak politician said that his visit to Russia was a reaction to the statement of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose powers expired on May 20, about the termination of gas transit through Ukrainian territory. During the talks, Putin said Russia was ready to directly supply gas to Slovakia after January 1, 2025.

On December 31, the transit contract for pumping gas from Russia through Ukraine expires. The Russian leadership has repeatedly pointed out that the country did not give up transit supplies to Europe, but in order to prolong them, European countries have to negotiate with Kiev.