Russia has stopped the flow of natural gas to EU nations through Ukraine, ending a decades-long transit agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed that his country would not let Russia profit further from its aggression. Poland also welcomed the cutoff, calling it a “victory” against Moscow’s energy dominance.
The halt occurred at 8:00 AM local time on January 1, 2025, after the expiration of a five-year deal. Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned energy company, confirmed the cessation of gas exports via Ukraine. The European Commission assured that the EU had prepared for this change, with many member states diversifying their energy sources. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU has reduced its reliance on Russian gas, lowering imports to under 10% in 2023 compared to 40% in 2021.
Countries such as Slovakia, heavily dependent on Russian gas, are grappling with the consequences. Prime Minister Robert Fico warned that the end of the transit agreement would severely impact the EU, particularly its eastern members. Slovakia now faces higher costs for alternative energy sources, which have already led to an increase in consumer gas prices.
Moldova, a non-EU nation, is experiencing an acute energy crisis due to the halt. The Transnistria region, backed by Russia, reported widespread power outages, leaving residents without heat or electricity during freezing temperatures. Moldova’s Prime Minister Dorin Recean accused Russia of weaponizing energy and rejected claims of unpaid debts to Gazprom.
Poland has stepped in to support Ukraine and Moldova by offering alternative energy routes and exports. Nations such as Austria and Germany, which had diversified their energy supply, reported no disruptions. This marks a critical shift in Europe’s energy landscape, reflecting the continent’s determination to end its dependency on Russian resources.
While Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the impacts on his country, the move underscores Europe’s success in reducing Moscow’s leverage over its energy supply. This development also highlights the geopolitical and economic challenges reshaping energy trade in the region.
