Ukraine does not intend to extend the Russian gas transit contract after it expires at the end of 2024, , chairman of the state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz, said in an interview with Radio Liberty published on Oct. 28.
Ukraine is fulfilling the current contract to remain a reliable partner for Europe, although Russia is not paying for all contracts, Chernyshov said.
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“But this contract expires at the end of 2024, and we have no intention or initiative to extend it,” he said.
The Russian energy giant Gazprom does not pay for transit to the gas metering station in Sohranivka (Luhansk Oblast), which is located in the occupied territory.
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“Gazprom does not pay according to the contract in this direction, so Naftogaz does not receive enough funds to actually provide (transit), and still fulfills its obligations, filing lawsuits against Gazprom to fulfill its obligations,” Chernyshov said.
“But at the same time, we are reserving all capacities and exit points from Ukraine to be ready to fulfill contractual obligations and support our European partners.”
Ukraine continues to transit Russian gas only to support its European colleagues who need this volume of gas, Chernyshov said.
The European Union has announced its intention to stop consuming Russian gas altogether by 2027.
However, Hungary and Slovakia have so far made little preparation to give up the use of Russian gas.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine