The gas transportation system of Ukraine has been operating without Russian gas since January 1, 2025. International partners have been informed about this in the established manner, reported the "Operator of the GTS of Ukraine" on Wednesday morning.
According to their information, the transit agreement with Russian "Gazprom" ended at 7:00 AM Kyiv time on the first day of 2025. As a result, the transportation of natural gas from the "Sudja" entry point on Ukraine's eastern border to the exit points on the western and southern borders of the country has been suspended.
"The OGTU has proactively prepared the infrastructure to operate in a zero transit mode and to ensure reliable gas supply to Ukrainian consumers. The company's team is ready to work under the new conditions," noted the operator's CEO, Dmytro Lippa.
In preparation for operating under new conditions, the OGTU has, in particular, agreed to increase guaranteed capacities to enable gas supplies to Ukraine and through Ukraine to European consumers. A significant number of assets not used in the gas transportation system have been optimized.
"All necessary preparations for the system have been carried out by the 'Operator of the GTS of Ukraine,' so we are fully ready for our system to function without the transit of Russian gas," stated Ukraine's Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko during a national marathon "Unified News."
As reported, the agreement between NAK "Naftogaz of Ukraine" and "Gazprom" for organizing transportation, the transport agreement between NAK and OGTU, and the inter-operator agreement between OGTU and "Gazprom" were signed on December 30, 2019. The contract on a "take or pay" basis provides for transit in 2020 – 65 billion cubic meters of gas, and in 2021-2024 – 40 billion cubic meters of gas per year.
In 2024, representatives of the Ukrainian authorities repeatedly stated that Ukraine does not intend to sign a transit contract with the Russian Federation after its expiration. At the same time, it was announced that negotiations were ongoing regarding the supply of Azerbaijani gas to Europe through Russia and Ukraine, although Baku does not have significant free resources.
The final decision regarding the continuation of transit in 2025 was made by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on December 19 during the EU Summit in Brussels: "We will not engage in extending the transit of Russian gas; we will not allow the opportunity to earn additional billions on our blood."
The results of stress tests conducted with the assistance of USAID showed that the gas transportation system and underground gas storage facilities of Ukraine are ready to operate under zero transit conditions.
The European Commission has stated that the EU is prepared for the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine and has alternative routes for the supply of non-Russian gas.