OREANDA-NEWS The European Union is not interested in extending the agreement on the transit of gas from the Russian Federation through the territory of Ukraine, calculated until the end of 2024. This was stated by the European Commissioner for Energy of the European Commission Kadri Simson on Monday, March 4.

The day before, Politico, citing a confidential document compiled by the European Commission, stated that a possible stop in the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine could be the worst-case scenario for EU countries. It was noted that in this case, the EU would be forced to increase gas purchase costs in connection with the search for alternative supply routes.

As reported by IA Regnum, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmygal, in turn, noted that the Ukrainian authorities do not plan to negotiate with the Russian side on the extension of the contract on the transit of Russian gas calculated until the end of 2024. The head of Naftogaz, Alexey Chernyshov, also said on October 29 that Ukraine would not extend this agreement.

At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 18, in an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin, stressed that Moscow does not depend on European gas buyers. The Head of State advised European countries to independently decide whether they are interested in purchasing Russian gas.