The EU is considering the possibility of transiting Azerbaijani gas through Russia and Ukraine: media
The European Union is negotiating with Ukraine to continue gas transit through the Ukrainian gas transport system after the current contract expires at the end of 2024.
About this informs Bloomberg.
One of the options under consideration is the purchase by European companies of gas from Azerbaijan and its transportation through Russian territory to Ukraine, and from there to other European countries. Such a scheme would avoid direct purchases of Russian gas, but at the same time would ensure the supply of gas to those EU countries that still depend on Russian resources.
Oleksiy Chernyshov, the head of the board of Naftogaz of Ukraine, confirmed the negotiations, but ruled out any cooperation with Russia’s Gazprom. He noted that the supply of Azerbaijani gas “may have a certain future”.
Negotiations are at an early stage, and a final decision is expected closer to the end of the year. Among the countries most interested in the continuation of gas transit through Ukraine are Slovakia and Austria, which are still largely dependent on Russian gas.
Russia continues to supply Europe with about 15 billion cubic meters of gas per year, mainly to Slovakia and Austria. Europe also imports Russian liquefied gas and, despite the debate, has not imposed sanctions against Russian gas.
