The senior official recalled this Monday in an interview with the newspaper Izvestia that the agreement expires at the end of December, and it remains unclear whether the end of its validity means the complete cessation of gas supplies through Ukrainian territory.
According to experts, the interruption of gas transit by pipeline threatens the energy security of several European countries, especially Austria and Slovakia.
Members of the European Union will have to increase their expenses in the purchase of gas from Russia, mainly liquefied natural gas.
In addition, according to analysts, if transit through Ukraine is interrupted at the beginning of 2025, gas prices in Europe may rise sharply.
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