Kiev did not rule out the cessation of gas transit from Russia this winter and called it “open aggression”

The company “GTS Operator of Ukraine” does not exclude such a development of events, in which the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine may be terminated this winter. This forecast was made by the head of the company Sergei Makogon in an interview with the publication “Business. Censor“, Excerpts from which are quoted by TASS.

According to Makogon, transit is “a political issue, not an economic one.” He stressed that Kiev sees an increase in pressure on Ukraine “in all directions” and listed: stopping the export of thermal coal from Russia, blocking the export of coal from Kazakhstan. ” So, according to Makogon, the stoppage of gas transit cannot be ruled out. If this happens, then, according to Makogon, it will be “open, unjustified aggression.” Nevertheless, he expressed the hope that it would not come to this.

At the same time, Makogon assured that in the absence of transit from Russia, technologically, the gas transmission system of Ukraine can operate on the resources that it managed to accumulate for the heating season. However, this only applies to the operation of the GTS, and if the economy has a large shortage of gas or it turns out to be too expensive, it will become a big problem, he warned.

Let us remind you that in November the head of Gazprom, Alexey Miller, announced that this year the company will exceed its obligations under the transit agreement with Ukraine. The contract provides for the transit of 40 billion cubic meters. m of gas in 2021. The Kremlin has repeatedly noted that the issue of increasing transit through the Ukrainian gas transportation system is a purely commercial topic. Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Moscow is ready to maintain transit and even increase supplies, but it is necessary to understand the volume of purchases and conclude appropriate agreements.

In December 2019, Moscow and Kiev agreed to extend the transit of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory for the period from 2020 to 2024, with the possibility of extending the agreement for another 10 years. The contract provides for the transit of 65 billion cubic meters. meters of gas in 2020 and 40 billion cubic meters. m annually from 2021 to 2024. The transit arrangement assumes a “pump or pay” principle, when the transit fee is charged in the amount of the booked capacity, even if the actual pumping turns out to be less. The transit of Russian gas to Europe through the Ukrainian gas transmission system last year amounted to 55.8 billion cubic meters. m, which was the lowest in the last 30 years.