EU Ready for Suspension of Gas Transit Through Ukraine, European Commission Confirms

The suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine as of January 1 is a situation the European Union has anticipated and prepared for, according to Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne on January 1.

The European Commission has been working with member states for over a year to prepare for this scenario and to secure alternative supply routes for countries impacted by the disruption.

“The European gas infrastructure is sufficiently flexible to ensure the supply of non-Russian gas to Central and Eastern European countries through alternative routes. Since 2022, it has been bolstered by significant new LNG import capacity,” stated the European Commission.

Efforts to enhance the EU’s energy security have included strengthening gas infrastructure, increasing energy efficiency, and advancing renewable energy sources. These measures have made the EU better equipped to handle a complete cessation of Russian gas transit.

Previously, the Slovak Prime Minister said that stopping Russian gas transit “will have dramatic consequences for the EU, but not for Russia.”

According to the head of the Slovak government, in 2025, it will continue its two-track policy, which will be oriented toward all sides of the world, and will “respect international law and not interfere in the internal affairs of others.”

Earlier, Ukraine ceased transiting Russian natural gas on January 1, 2025. The country’s gas transmission system is now operating in a no-transit mode.