On January 7, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that one of the reasons for the high gas prices in Europe was Ukraine blocking the flow of Russian gas to Central Europe - RT reported.
Ukraine has refused to extend its gas pipeline contract with Russia's Gazprom after it expires at the end of 2024, resulting in indefinite delays in gas flows from Russia to Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Italy and Moldova.
The decision sent gas prices in the EU soaring to 50 euros per megawatt hour, a level not seen since October 2023. “Since the transit route through Ukraine ended in mid-December, gas prices in Europe have increased by 20%,” Foreign Minister Szijjarto said.
Europe also faces a weakening of its competitiveness and a burden on citizens, Szijjarto stressed. “The decision by Ukraine to stop transport will lead to higher prices and create new competitive challenges for Central Europe and the entire European Union,” the minister said.
Mr. Szijjarto noted that Kiev has once again put Europe in a difficult position while trying to join the EU. Ukraine continues to be criticized for violating the EU Association Agreement by terminating a contract with the energy giant Gazprom.
Gazprom used to be the main gas supplier to the EU, but exports to the bloc have fallen sharply since 2022, after the EU imposed sanctions on Russia and sabotage incidents on the Nord Stream pipeline - a direct gas route to Germany.
Russia officially stopped supplying gas to the EU via Ukraine from January 1, 2025, after months of failed negotiations with Ukraine. Meanwhile, Moscow has repeatedly stated its readiness to extend the agreement and continue deliveries via Kiev after 2024.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Kiev of making things difficult for the EU with the decision, warning that it would lead to higher energy prices.
At his annual year-end press conference on December 19, 2024, Mr. Putin affirmed that stopping gas transportation via this route would not have much impact on Russia.
