Ukraine Ends Gas Transit Agreement with Russia

The expiration of a gas transit deal has led to the complete halt of Russian natural gas exports to Europe through Ukraine, marking a significant shift in energy relations amidst ongoing conflict. Ukraine's Energy Minister described the cessation of transit as a historic event, asserting that Russia is losing its markets and will face financial losses. While most European countries have already arranged alternative energy supplies, Moldova faces critical challenges, particularly in the breakaway region of Transnistria, which has cut off heating and hot water supplies to households. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy called the end of the transit agreement one of Moscow's biggest defeats, emphasizing the need for increased energy supplies from the U.S. The European Commission stated that the EU is largely unaffected due to its flexible gas infrastructure, although household energy bills are predicted to rise as temperatures drop. Overall, the shift reflects Europe's ongoing efforts to reduce dependency on Russian energy following the invasion of Ukraine.