Duma calls Kiev's decision to stop gas transit a stab in the back for the EU
Kiev's decision to stop the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine was a shock and a stab in the back for the European Union (EU), Crimean Duma member Mykhaylo Sheremet said on 1 January.
"By deciding to leave the EU industry without gas and the population without heat in winter, [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky (his term of office expired on May 20. - Ed.) has repaid his European partners with an evil coin, dooming the economies of their countries to destruction," he told RIA Novosti.
Sheremet expressed the opinion that by doing so, the Kiev regime has actually taken the population of European countries hostage.
The MP called Zelensky a blackmailer and terrorist, who once again shocked Europe and questioned both its future and the existence of the EU.
Earlier in the day, Russian energy company Gazprom said it had suspended gas supplies through Ukraine from 8:00 Moscow time. At that moment, the agreement of December 30, 2019 with Naftogaz Ukrainy on gas transit through Ukrainian territory, as well as between Gazprom and the Operator of the Gas Transmission System of Ukraine LLC, expired.
A spokesman for the European Commission said that the EC was ready to terminate transit because the European gas infrastructure "is flexible enough to supply gas of non-Russian origin via alternative routes". In turn, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo predicted radical consequences for the EU due to the halt of supplies from Russia.
In August, Zelensky said that Ukraine would not extend the gas transit agreement with Russia, which expired at the end of 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that Moscow is not giving up gas supplies through Ukraine. In late December, Zelenskyy said that he would agree to transit if Western countries do not pay Russia for the time being.
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