"As Ukraine repeatedly and clearly refused to extend these agreements, Gazprom was deprived of the technical and legal ability to supply gas for transit through Ukraine from January 1, 2025. The supply of Russian gas for its transportation through Ukraine stopped at 8:00 a.m. Moscow time," the statement reads.

The company pointed out that its five-year gas transit agreements with Ukraine’s Naftogaz on cooperation between the operators of the Russian and Ukrainian gas transportation systems had expired on January 1.

The deal provided for the transit of 40 bln cubic meters of Russian gas through Ukraine annually.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier that there would definitely be no new contract for Russian gas transit because it’s not possible to make an agreement just days before the New Year. Kiev, in turn, announced plans to stop Russian gas transit.

However, Ukraine is ready to resume gas transit based on a request from the European Commission as long as gas is not considered as "Russian," while the Russian president pointed to the possibility of contracts with third parties, namely Turkish, Hungarian, Slovak and Azerbaijani companies.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed the most interest in continued Russian gas supplies. On December 22, Fico made a visit to Russia.

He warned that the cost to the European Union could reach 120 billion euros in 2025-2026 from higher gas prices resulting from Ukraine’s move to end Russian gas transit.

Fico also said that Slovakia could take reciprocal measures against Ukraine, particularly halting back-up electricity supplies to Kiev.

The European Commission said it would not support discussions on extending the gas transit contract or seek alternative solutions to maintain flows, and it has not been involved in any negotiations regarding the matter, according to media reports. ■