Ukraine refuses to extend gas transit agreement with Russia, end of matter - Zelensky

MOSCOW. Aug 27 (Interfax) - Ukraine does not intend to extend the gas transit agreement with Russia that expires at the end of 2024, and the country is ready to discuss the transit of gas from other suppliers via its gas transportation system (GTS) upon request from Europe, Ukrainian media reported, citing a speech by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.

"Nobody will extend the agreement with Russia, and that is it. In terms of gas transit from other companies, if several of our European colleagues continue to request so, and we are all in the European Union, then we would consider the request," Zelensky said on Tuesday in Kiev during a press conference broadcast on social media.

As reported, Azerbaijan's president in late July said that his country was holding talks with Russia on possibly extending the transit of natural gas through Ukraine, with the Russia-Ukraine contract expiring in 2024. Azerbaijan's president said that the Ukrainian authorities and the European Union had requested assistance from Azerbaijan in extending the contract.

Commenting on the statement, Naftogaz of Ukraine Management Board Chairman Alexei Chernyshov said that the EU and Ukraine were looking for ways to ensure stable gas supplies to Europe after the termination of the Ukraine-Russia transit contract in 2024, one of which could be the supply of Azerbaijani gas.

Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galuschenko in early August said that there have been no specific proposals from Azerbaijan to date, though they could materialize.