Šefčovič welcomes conclusion of gas transit contract between Ukraine and Russia

Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič has welcomed the conclusion of an agreement on the transit of Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine.

“Breaking Trilateral Gas Talks: Done and dusted. Pleased to have signed the well-balanced agreement that is essential for ensuring an uninterrupted transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine. Everyone is a winner today,” Šefčovič posted on Twitter on December 20.

Ukraine and Russia are expected to sign the contract by the end of 2019. The current deal expires on December 31, 2019.

As reported, Energy and Environmental Protection Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Orzhel and Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said after the 5th round of gas transit talks that a final protocol had been elaborated which brought the parties closer to signing the final agreements.

At the talks in Minsk on December 20, representatives of the European Commission, Ukraine and the Russian Federation reached a final agreement on fundamental points of the transit of Russian gas through the territory of Ukraine to European consumers and settlement of mutual claims.

The current gas transit contract between Naftogaz and Gazprom expires on December 31, 2019.

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