European Commission confirms stable gas supply despite Ukraine transit halt

The termination of gas transit from Russia through Ukraine has not posed any significant threat to the European Union’s gas supply, the European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said.

Speaking at a briefing in Brussels, Itkonen reassured the public that the cessation of the transit agreement, which came into effect on December 31, 2024, had not disrupted the EU's energy security, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

“It was concluded that there are no problems with security of supply. There is no cause for concern for the European Union as a result of the termination of this transit agreement,” Itkonen stated.

The European Commission had been preparing for this eventuality for over a year, in collaboration with EU member states and Ukraine, according to the spokesperson.

The decision to end the transit agreement had been anticipated, and there has been no notable spike in gas prices. Itkonen highlighted that the EU's gas market was already integrated by the time the agreement ended. “There is no price hike at the end of the year,” she added.

While the European Commission does not directly engage in the gas market, Itkonen emphasized that the fundamental indicators of the market, including demand and storage stock levels, remain stable. “Demand remains stable, and storage stock levels are satisfactory,” she affirmed.

The European Commission is continuing to monitor the gas supply situation and gas prices in close cooperation with EU member states.

On January 1, Russian gas stopped flowing to EU states via Ukraine after a five-year deal expired, marking the end of a decades-long arrangement.  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his country would not allow Russia to "earn additional billions on our blood".

Poland's government meanwhile said the cut-off was "another victory" against Moscow. The European Commission said the EU had prepared for the change and most states could cope. Moldova, which is not in the EU, is already suffering shortages.

By Vafa Guliyeva