EP concerned about consequences of Ukraine's refusal to extend gas transit from Russia

Romanian members of the European Parliament (EP) Georgiana Teodorescu and Adrian-George Axinia have expressed concern over Ukraine 's decision to refuse to extend gas transit from Russia to Europe.

In a corresponding appeal to the European Commission (EC), the text of which was read by Lenta.Ru on Wednesday, January 29, they said that at the end of January the Market Correction Mechanism (MCM), which was created in response to the energy crisis, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, to prevent disruptions in supply, expires. The system has played "a key role in keeping energy prices low for consumers for a tolerable period" and without it there is a risk of the public facing "unsustainable gas prices".

The authors of the appeal note that the first signs of such an outcome appeared when Ukraine refused to extend the agreement on the transit of Russian gas to Europe, and in Europe gas prices exceeded 50 euros/MWh, which is the highest since 2023.

The EP emphasized that higher gas prices will inevitably lead to higher electricity prices, which "will have a direct and long-term impact on energy affordability, security and sustainability for citizens across the Union."

In this regard, they asked the EC representatives what measures are planned to ensure energy affordability, especially for vulnerable groups.

"We will never agree to a ban on gas transit from Russia"

Slovak MP Marian Keri - on relations between the two countries, fuel supplies to the EU and sanctions against Russia

On January 28, the republic's Prime Minister Robert Fitzo said that if the Ukrainian authorities do not resume gas transit, Slovakia will block all aid from the European Union. He emphasized that "the threat of retaliatory measures is the only language that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (term expired in May 2024) understands," 360.ru notes.

According to him, stopping transit would cost the EU €500 million a year, RT writes. In addition, Fitzo called Zelensky an enemy of Slovakia. He also called outrageous the behavior of the Ukrainian president, who sent the minutes of their meeting, which has not yet taken place.

On January 24, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called on the European Union (EU) to defend the interests of the association's member states over Ukraine, whose decision impedes energy supplies to Hungary and Slovakia.

Ukraine has officially announced its refusal to extend its agreement with Russia on gas transit to Europe after the contract expires on December 31, 2024.

On January 1, 2025, Gazprom said it would suspend gas supplies through Ukraine. On the same day, Fitzo noted that this would have drastic consequences for the EU, but not for Russia.