Zelenskyy: Ukraine to block Russian gas flow to EU after December 31

Ukraine will not allow the transit of Russian gas after December 31, 2024, even if it is purchased in advance by a third country or directly by the consumer country in the EU, said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

During a press conference in Brussels Zelenskyy added that he had discussed this issue with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and shared his position with him, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

“We do not want to play games. If it is another country that receives gas from Russia and then sends it on, it is the same as sending money to Russia. If a European country is ready to receive gas but not pay Russia until the conflict ends, then we can consider it,” he said.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that there would definitely be no contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine.

The contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory expires on December 31, 2024. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stated that they do not intend to extend it.

However, a number of Ukrainian and Western media outlets have reported that there are potential transit schemes where European countries could buy gas from Russia before it reaches the consumer, meaning the gas passing through Ukraine would no longer be Russian gas.

By Aghakazim Guliyev