Slovakia Seeks Continued Russian Gas Transit via Ukraine

Environmentalists have raised alarms over two Russian oil tankers that ran aground in the ecologically sensitive Kerch Strait, leading to a significant spill of low-grade fuel into a major shipping lane. The Volgoneft-212 tanker is reported to have spilled about 3,700 tons of mazut, raising concerns of a potential environmental disaster. Meanwhile, Slovakia is in negotiations to secure continued Russian gas supply through Ukraine, with a demand for approximately 15 billion cubic meters for the upcoming year, as the existing transit contract is set to expire. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has stated that the gas transit agreement with Russia will not be extended past December 31, 2024, while Slovakia aims to finalize a new deal before the deadline. The European Union plans to eliminate reliance on Russian fossil fuels by 2027, emphasizing the urgency of these negotiations. Moldova is also bracing for potential gas supply disruptions as it relies on Russian gas transiting through Ukraine.