Putin says there isn’t a time to signal new Ukraine gasoline transit deal this yr

MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin mentioned on Thursday there was no time left this yr to signal a brand new Ukrainian gasoline transit deal, and laid the blame firmly on Ukraine for refusing to increase the settlement that brings gasoline to Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria.

“They introduced that they might not renew the contract,” Putin mentioned, including that Kyiv was punishing Europe by the transfer.

The present five-year gasoline transit deal between Russia and Ukraine expires ultimately of the yr.

“There isn’t a contract and it’s not possible to conclude it in 3-4 days,” Putin mentioned in a televised briefing.

Russian gasoline provides to Europe through Ukraine are comparatively small. Russia shipped about 15 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gasoline through Ukraine in 2023 – solely 8% of peak Russian gasoline flows to Europe through varied routes in 2018-19.

The Soviet-era Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod pipeline brings gasoline from Siberia through the city of Sudzha – which is now below management of Ukrainian navy forces – in Russia’s Kursk area. It then flows via Ukraine to Slovakia.

In Slovakia, the gasoline pipeline splits into branches going to the Czech Republic and Austria.

Russia is able to provide gasoline through Ukraine to any buyer however he mentioned a lawsuit was making that not possible, Putin mentioned.

Putin additionally reiterated Russia was prepared to provide gasoline to Europe through Poland via the Yamal – Europe pipeline.