For decades, pipelines connecting Siberia to Europe have carried more than just gas — they’ve been lifelines, symbols of interdependence, and, at times, flashpoints in geopolitical conflicts.
Now, one of those vital links is under threat.
The clock is running out on a key gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine, which is set to expire at the end of the year.
Won't Renew the Contract
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that there was no time left to finalize a new deal.
He blamed Kyiv for refusing to extend the current contract, according to Digi24.
“They announced that they won’t renew the contract,” Putin stated, accusing Ukraine of punishing Europe with its decision.
The agreement, in place since 2019, allows Russian gas to flow through Ukraine to Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria.
Without it, those countries face uncertainty over their energy supplies. According to Putin, there’s no possibility of negotiating a new deal in just a few days.
Gas flows through Ukraine have already dwindled in recent years. In 2023, only 15 billion cubic meters of gas were transported along this route — just a fraction of the volumes seen before 2018.
The pipeline at the center of this dispute, known as the Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod line, originates in Siberia and crosses Ukraine via the Sudzha point, which is under Ukrainian control.
Putin claimed Russia is ready to supply gas through Ukraine or alternate routes, including the Yamal-Europe pipeline via Poland. But he also pointed to ongoing legal disputes as a roadblock to any immediate solution.
This standoff comes at a time when Europe has drastically reduced its reliance on Russian gas, seeking alternative energy sources in response to the war in Ukraine.
However, countries like Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria remain vulnerable to disruptions.
