Kremlin avoids speculation on EU-Azerbaijan gas supply talks through Ukraine

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has refrained from speculating on the potential contract between the European Union and Azerbaijan for gas supplies through Ukraine's gas transportation system (GTS).

He stated that the discussions are part of commercial negotiations and acknowledged the situation that the President addressed during his press conference in Kazan, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

“There was a question regarding the fact that the agreement for gas transit will expire at the end of this year. I cannot say how events will unfold or how supplies will be ensured, especially given that Ukraine has already announced its refusal to extend this agreement," Peskov remarked.

His comments came in response to a Bloomberg report suggesting that unnamed European gas buyers are close to signing an agreement with Azerbaijan's state oil company, SOCAR, for the supply of 12 to 14 billion cubic metres of gas per year via the Ukrainian GTS after December 31.

Notably, European buyers are approaching a commercial agreement with Azerbaijan to ensure a continuous supply of natural gas to the continent following the expiration of a transit deal between Russia and Ukraine at the year's end. 

Firms from Hungary and Slovakia are on the verge of finalising a contract for approximately 12 to 14 billion cubic metres of gas annually from Azerbaijan, as reported by sources familiar with the situation.

This would utilise the same pipeline network currently transporting Russian gas through Ukraine to the European Union.

By Aghakazim Guliyev