Ukraine won't extend gas transit from Russia, says PM Shmyhal

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said this during a meeting with his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico.

"Ukraine's strategic goal is to impose sanctions on the Russian gas molecule, to deprive the Kremlin of profits from the sale of hydrocarbons, which the aggressor uses to finance the war. We call on all European countries to completely abandon oil and gas from Russia," the Prime Minister emphasized.

He noted that the Ukrainian government understands the acute dependence of some countries, in particular Slovakia, on this resource, but expects gradual diversification of supplies.

"At the same time, Ukraine is ready to continue to fulfill its obligations under the Association Agreement with the European Union and the Energy Charter," Shmyhal assured.

The transit agreement is valid until the end of this year.

The day before, the media reported on Fico's intention to persuade Ukraine not to stop gas transit after the transit agreement with Gazprom expires.

• On August 16, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said that after the expiration of the gas transit contract with Russia, Ukraine will not negotiate its extension.
• On September 14, European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson called for a reduction in Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, up to a complete abandonment of them.
• On October 7, during intergovernmental consultations with Shmyhal in Zakarpattia, Fico said that Slovakia was "cold" toward Ukraine's NATO membership.