April 3, 2025 9:25 pm
Full News

Russia Halts Natural Gas Exports via Ukraine as Transit Deal Expires

MOSCOW/KYIV – In the early hours of New Year’s Day, Russian natural gas exports through Soviet-era pipelines running via Ukraine to Europe were halted as the transit deal between the two nations expired without a new agreement in place.

This shutdown marks the end of a decade of strained relations, initially sparked by Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, and follows Ukraine’s cessation of Russian gas purchases in 2015. Ukraine’s Energy Minister German Galushchenko declared, “We stopped the transit of Russian gas. This is a historic event. Russia is losing its markets, it will suffer financial losses. Europe has already made the decision to abandon Russian gas.”

The expiration of the five-year gas transit deal on January 1 was anticipated amidst the ongoing war that began in February 2022. Ukraine has been resolute in its decision not to extend the agreement during the conflict.

Gazprom, Russia’s energy giant, had anticipated the cessation of gas transit via Ukraine in 2024, which accounted for roughly half of Russia’s total pipeline gas exports to Europe. While Russia continues to export gas via the TurkStream pipeline, the European Union has intensified efforts to reduce its reliance on Russian energy since the outbreak of the war.

Countries such as Slovakia and Austria, which were previously reliant on Russian gas via Ukraine, have arranged alternative supplies. Moldova, among the worst affected, announced measures to reduce its gas consumption by a third.

Gazprom stated that Ukraine’s refusal to renew the transit agreements deprived the company of the technical and legal ability to supply gas through Ukrainian territory from January 1, 2025. Ukraine’s Energy Ministry cited national security concerns for halting the gas transportation.

As a result, Ukraine faces a loss of approximately $800 million annually in transit fees, while Gazprom stands to lose nearly $5 billion in gas sales. The war has severely impacted Gazprom’s business, which once held a major share of the European gas market.

In 2023, Russia shipped about 15 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas via Ukraine, significantly down from 65 bcm when the last five-year contract began in 2020.

Related News
France Provides Military Intelligence to Ukraine Despite U.S. Withdrawal
What lies behind the unchecked clearance of Pakistani vessels? [Video]
US, Japan, and South Korea Coordinate Response to North Korean Threats
Former Russian World Champion Couple Among Victims of U.S. Aircraft Collision
Assad Regime in Syria on the Brink of Collapse, U.S. Officials Warn
Netanyahu Heads to the United States for High-Stakes Meeting with President Trump
Related Posts
Elon Musk to Step Down from Government Role
Elon Musk’s Cost-Cutting Team Sends Error-Ridden Termination Notices to USAID Staff
Finland’s President Urges France or Britain to Engage with Russia on Ukraine
Controversial Waqf Bill Passed in India’s Lok Sabha
Israeli Forces Used Palestinians as ‘Human Shields’
World Leaders React to Trump’s Tariff Imposition
More News

Kamala Harris’s House Evacuated

A devastating wildfire has spread across several areas near Los Angeles, California. Over 2,900 acres have already burned, prompting the evacuation of more than 30,000 people, with evacuation orders issued for at least 70,000 more. The news was reported by TASS. So far, five people have died, and more than a thousand homes have been […]

China Praises US Firms Amid Trade War Fears as Trump Threatens New Tariffs

BEIJING – China’s state media have lauded several US companies for their “strong collaboration” with Chinese partners, a move seen as an attempt to ease fears of an escalating trade war following Donald Trump’s tariff threats. Trump, who is set to take office on January 20, recently announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on […]

Michael Jackson Jackets, Oasis Guitars, and More Head to Auction in $2.6 Million Sale

A collection of iconic music memorabilia, including items from Michael Jackson, Noel Gallagher, and Jimi Hendrix, is set to hit the auction block next month. The sale, hosted by Propstore on November 15, is expected to bring in around £2 million ($2.61 million) and will span four days, also featuring film and TV props. Music […]

US-Russia Meeting in Saudi Arabia on Ukraine Issue

In an effort to initiate discussions aimed at ending the nearly three-year-long war in Ukraine, US and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia. A US lawmaker and a source familiar with the plan confirmed this information on Saturday, as reported by British news agency Reuters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine […]

Massive Fire in North Macedonian Nightclub Kills at Least 51

A devastating fire broke out at a nightclub in North Macedonia, a landlocked country in Southeastern Europe, resulting in the deaths of at least 51 people and injuring around 100 others. According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday (March 16) in a nightclub located […]

Vice President JD Vance to Visit Pituffik Space Base in Greenland for Arctic Security Briefing

The U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance will travel to Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on Friday to receive a high-level briefing on Arctic security concerns and engage with U.S. servicemembers stationed at the base. As the northernmost installation of the U.S. Department of Defense, Pituffik Space Base plays a critical […]

‘We know how to beat them’: Rabada on Australia final

South Africa’s star pacer kept threatening Australia with the final of the Test Championship. The final of the ICC Test Championship is still five months away. But the war of words began long ago. Australia may be favorites in the trophy fight. However, Kagiso Radaba is very confident about themselves. South Africa’s star pacer said […]

Winter Storm Warning: 60 Million Under Alerts from Plains to Mid-Atlantic

A massive winter storm is set to sweep across the U.S., bringing heavy snow, ice, and severe weather conditions to millions over the next three days.From the Plains to the mid-Atlantic, approximately 60 million individuals are under weather alerts as this formidable low-pressure system advances. The storm’s path will impact major cities like Cincinnati, Philadelphia, […]

Sculpture Symbolizing Bangladesh’s Liberation War Ends Up in Scrap Shop

A sculpture depicting scenes from Bangladesh’s Liberation War—a fighter celebrating with a raised weapon and another releasing a dove with one hand while holding a weapon in the other—has been sold to a scrap shop due to lack of buyers. The artwork was created by Professor Amirul Momenin Joshi of the Department of Graphic Design, […]

Hezbollah’s Sec. General Akram al-Kaabi: “Our Fingers Remain on the Trigger”

Beirut, Lebanon – In a significant development, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Akram al-Kaabi has announced the suspension of military operations against their adversaries. However, he emphasized that their forces remain on high alert, with missiles and drones fully prepared for any potential threats. Al-Kaabi’s statement comes amid ongoing tensions in the region, highlighting the group’s readiness to […]