Deliveries of Russian gas transiting through Ukraine to Europe definitively ceased on January 1, 2024, following the expiration of the contract between Naftogaz et Gazprom. This interruption, which represents around a third of total Russian gas supplies to Europe, is causing concern in several Eastern European countries.
Ukrainian authorities, including the Minister of Energy Guerman Galouchtchenko and the president Volodymyr Zelenskycelebrate this judgment as a historic victory against Moscow. They point out that gas volumes passing through Ukraine have fallen from 130 billion cubic meters at the start of Putin's rule to zero today.
Impact on Eastern Europe
The situation is of particular concern to Hungary and Slovakia, which are heavily dependent on Russian gas. The Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico even went to Moscow to try to find a solution, while the Hungarywhich mainly sources its supplies via TurkStream, seems less affected by this interruption.
The Moldova appears to be the most vulnerable country, having had to declare a state of emergency. The situation is particularly critical in the separatist region of Transnistriawhere the halt in deliveries has led to the closure of many schools and kindergartens, forcing residents to take emergency measures to heat themselves.
Alternatives and adaptations within the European Union
On the European side, this announcement is particularly followed, with the fear of running out of gas in the weeks or months to come. Ultimately, this could also imply an increase in prices for the consumer. It was therefore necessary to find an alternative.
Faced with this situation, Europe is now relying on TurkStream and its extension Balkan Streamas well as on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas by LNG tankers. Moldova, for its part, benefits from the support of neighboring Romania, although its dependence on the thermal power plant of Transnistria for electricity remains a source of concern.
