Ukraine ready to extend transit of Russian gas upon initiative from EU - Prime Minister

MOSCOW. March 4 (Interfax) - Ukraine is ready to extend the transit of Russian gas through the Gas Transmission System (GTS) upon an initiative on the part of European Union countries, though the GTS Operator of Ukraine will not extend the existing contract or sign a new one with Gazprom , Ukrainian media reported, citing Prime Minister Denis Shmygal speaking at a press conference on Monday, with video posted on social media.

"Naturally, we are not going to negotiate [with the Russian Federation] about extending [the transit contract] and put our signatures on the agreement, though we have had repeated negotiations with European leaders on the basis of the European Commission. If the European countries act as a consortium or someone among the European partners acts as a transit country for their own gas, then we are ready to provide the service. The initiative here is on the part of the EU and our European partners," Shmygal said.

"A group, an association, a consortium. This could be the European Commission, a group of European countries that are interested in maintaining transit," Shmygal clarified.

Shmygal said that the GTS of Ukraine is ready to function without the transit of Russian gas.

As reported, the transit of Russian gas through the GTS of Ukraine fell 28.4% year-on-year to 14.6 billion cubic meters in 2023.

The agreement between Naftogaz of Ukraine and Gazprom on organizing transportation, the transport agreement between Naftogaz and the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine, as well as the inter-operator agreement between the GTS Operator of Ukraine and Gazprom were signed on December 30, 2019. The contract stipulates transiting 40 bcm of gas per year in 2021-2024.