As a result of the contract on gas supplies signed between Hungary and Russia, Ukraine has lost about 4.5 billion cubic meters of transit gas. At the same time, there is a risk of a complete cessation of pumping blue fuel through the Ukrainian territory after 2024, writes RBC-Ukraine.
"We have lost about 4.5 billion cubic meters of transit for sure, and there is a risk of losing up to 10 billion cubic meters in this direction," said in an interview the general director of LLC "Operator GTS Ukraine" Sergey Makogon.
According to Makohon, the possibility of importing gas by virtual reverse from Hungary is also under threat. He noted that in 2021 about 95% of gas was coming to Ukraine this way.
"However, we still have the possibility to import gas from Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and now we are conducting this import. Every day we import about 5 million cubic meters," the head of the company said.
At the same time, Makohon admitted that the gas contract between Hungary and Russia was a "painful blow" for Ukraine. According to him, this deal actually confirms that all the statements about the increase of transit through the Ukrainian territory are far from reality.
"Transit is constantly decreasing. As soon as Gazprom has an opportunity to bypass Ukraine, they do it," he stressed.
The head of the company called the arguments of the Russian side about the safety and cheapness of bypass routes false. Makohon explained that the transportation of gas used to go by the simple scheme - Russia-Ukraine-Hungary. But after the introduction of by pass routes, it became more complicated.
"Currently, the transportation takes a new route: the North of Russia - South of Russia - the Black Sea - Turkey - Bulgaria - Serbia - Hungary. Well, how can you compare these routes?" - explained Makogon.
He added that Gazprom's contract with Hungary is a political agreement. Makogon assumed that the Russian monopoly blackmailed the Hungarian side with stopping gas deliveries if it did not agree to receive fuel from Serbia.
