MOSCOW, January 25. The Ukrainian government has denied reports of readiness to extend the transit of Russian gas, writes RBC-Ukraine, citing sources.
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"The position of the Ukrainian side is clear: the transportation contract ends at the end of this year, We are not going to negotiate with the Russians and extend the contract. What did the Prime Minister of Ukraine tell his Slovak counterpart,” said the publication’s interlocutor.
At the same time, he clarified that an extension of transit is possible if the Slovak company itself leases the capacity of the Ukrainian gas transportation system, “but this is only an assumption for now.”
The fact that Kiev and Bratislava have reached a preliminary agreement on the continuation of the transit of Russian gas to Europe, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said yesterday following a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Denis Shmygal in Uzhgorod. He called it «extraordinary news.»
In turn, Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said in an interview with Reuters that Kyiv may stop importing gas in 2024.
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"We are close to this (no need to import gas. — Ed.) . It is realistic to achieve a zero gas balance this year. <…> But it is important to understand that our consumption has dropped dramatically. Much will depend on how industry and the economy develop. Today there is an increase in production, there is potential for increase, and this is real potential,” he said.
The current five-year transit agreement between Naftogaz of Ukraine and Gazprom was concluded at the end of 2019. Russian gas flows through Ukraine to Austria, Slovakia, Italy and Hungary. The current transit volume is 42 million cubic meters per day.