Zelensky: Cutting off Russian gas through Ukraine is Moscow’s biggest failure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the end of Russian gas transit through Ukrainian territory as “one of Moscow’s biggest failures,” according to AFP.
He wrote in a message on social media: “When Putin came to power in Russia more than 25 years ago, the annual volume of Russian gas transit to Europe through Ukraine exceeded 130 billion cubic meters. Today, this figure has dropped to zero. This is one of Moscow’s biggest failures.”
Stopping Russian gas transit through Ukraine is “one of Moscow’s biggest defeats,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 1 on his Telegram channel.
Ukraine terminated Russian natural gas transit through its territory on Jan. 1. Kyiv has repeatedly warned that it would not extend the agreement when it expires at the end of 2024 because it did not want to finance Russia’s war.
“When Putin was handed power in Russia over 25 years ago, the annual gas pumping through Ukraine to Europe stood at over 130 billion cubic meters. Today, the transit of Russian gas is 0. This is one of Moscow’s biggest defeats,” Zelensky said.
“Turning energy into a weapon and cynical energy blackmail of partners is what deprived Russia of its most attractive and geographically accessible market.”
According to Zelensky, most European countries “have adapted” to the termination of Russian gas transit. Zelensky added that the allies’ common task now is to support Moldova, dependent on Russian supplies, in its energy transformation.
Zelensky said he believes that U.S. gas supplies and other partners will make energy market prices more favorable.