No Russian gas transit through Ukraine - Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on December 19 that Ukraine will not transit Russian gas through its territory to prevent Russia from earning additional revenue.

During a press conference, Zelenskyy addressed whether Ukraine would extend the gas transit agreement after the current contract expires. He firmly stated that Ukraine would not engage in such activities.

"We will not continue Russian gas transit. We will not allow Russia to earn additional billions on our blood. Any country in the world that seeks cheap resources from Russia will ultimately become dependent on Russia. This is their policy, so we will not transit Russian gas," Zelenskyy said.

He explained that during a conversation with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, he clarified that Ukraine is open to transiting gas from other countries but not when the gas originates in Russia.

"It is equivalent to continuing to profit from this war and funding Russia. If a European country can receive gas without paying Russia until the war ends, we can consider it. But again, we will not allow Russia to profit further from this war," Zelenskyy concluded.

• In October, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson stated that the EU is prepared for the expiration of the transit agreement between Naftogaz and Gazprom at the end of the year.
• Later, Fico announced that Slovakia would hold negotiations to ensure the supply of Russian gas through Ukraine after the current transit contract expires.