EU ready to fully give up on transit of Russian gas through Ukraine

Herman Halushchenko, Ukraine’s Minister of Energy, with Kadri Simson during the International Energy Agency's Ministerial Meeting in Paris. Photo: mev.gov.ua

European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson has said that the EU is not interested in extending the gas transit contract with the aggressor.

This statement was made by Kadri Simson during her meeting with Herman Halushchenko, Ukraine’s Minister of Energy at the International Energy Agency’s Ministerial Meeting in Paris, according to the press service of Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy.

The European Commissioner said European countries have been working on diversifying supplies since the beginning of the Russian full-scale aggression.

“A return to the usual relations with Russia is impossible. The EU is not interested in extending the gas transit contract with Russians. We have been preparing for the end of this contract for two years, since the manipulation of the gas market began, and we have alternative options to ensure the security of supply,” Simson pointed out.

During the meeting, Halushchenko thanked the European Commission for the recent grant worth €58 million to Ukraine’s Energy Support Fund, of which €46.4 million Ukraine has already received. Most of the funds will be directed toward the purchase of gas turbines for Ukraine’s Gas Transmission System Operator.

In addition, the minister mentioned the €10 million grant provided by the European Commission for the restoration of critical infrastructure and how essential it is.

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