European Union leaders intend to discuss Russian gas transit through Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels, among other topics, Bloomberg reports, UNN writes.
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Asked whether there was a chance to extend the gas transit agreement through Ukraine beyond this year, Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulidis told reporters: "This is one of the issues we will discuss with President Zelensky." Negotiations to keep the transit have been underway for several months, and now the buyers are increasing pressure and the discussions are becoming more intense, the newspaper notes.
The main question, as noted, is whether Russia and Ukraine can agree on terms acceptable to both sides as tensions escalate. Although renewal is unlikely, as Ukraine has stated that it does not want Russian gas to continue flowing through its territory after the current agreement expires, possible alternatives are being discussed, including fuel swaps and other intermediaries.
"Realistically, no," said Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob in response to the same question about the possibility of continuing gas transit through Ukraine after this year.
Meanwhile, the Austrian government is aware of efforts by Slovakia, one of the countries still dependent on Russian gas, to continue transit through Ukraine, but is not aware of any agreement ready to be signed, said Jürgen Schneider, head of the energy department at the Austrian Ministry of Energy.