The European Commission does not intend to negotiate with Russia to continue the transit of Russian gas to European countries through Ukraine. This was announced by European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson before the EU Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels.
"I was very clear about this and conveyed this message to our Ukrainian partners that the European Commission will not engage in negotiations with Russia, as it did five years ago when a trilateral gas transit agreement was agreed. On the contrary, according to our RePowerUE plan, we have to get rid of Russian gas by 2027 at the latest," Simson said.
She also noted that the European Commission is actively working to provide countries with alternative supply routes and gas suppliers, as well as to support Ukraine to better integrate it into the EU energy market.
The main topic of discussion for European officials at today's meeting will be gas and security of supply.
"We have successfully completed another heating season, so now it is time to start preparing for the next winter. We will discuss forecasts for the gas market dynamics, as well as the impact of the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine," Simson added.
She expressed hope that the ministers will also be able to agree on the continuation of gas saving measures and ways to further reduce the volume of Russian liquefied natural gas exports to European countries.
