Russia

Russian pipeline gas has stopped flowing to Europe through Ukraine as of the New Year, marking the end of a decades-long arrangement.Moldova is the main victim of the move, with its breakaway region of Transnistria suffering an energy crisis.
And though EU is not at risk of an energy shortage, it might face higher gas prices.What happened?Russia stopped sending pipeline gas to European countries through Ukraine, a supply route used for decades, from Jan.
1 after Kyiv refused to renegotiate the transit deal due to Moscow's full-scale invasion.Russia had used the Ukraine transit line to send about 50% of all its pipeline gas exports to Europe, mainly to Moldova, Slovakia, Austria and Hungary.Who is the main victim?Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria, which relied solely on Russian gas, has been hardest hit by the end of Ukraine's transit.Russia cut off all supplies to Moldova, citing both the lack of ability to transport gas through Ukraine and the debt allegedly owed to Russian gas exporter Gazprom by Moldova's Moldovgaz.
Chisinau dismisses these debts.As a result, Transnistria is now in the midst of an energy crisis, with heat and electricity supplies severely affected.Moldova said Monday that it will supply 3 million cubic meters of natural gas to the Moscow-backed separatist region as a temporary solution.The city of Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria.Vasily Gryu (CC BY-SA 4.0)Although Moldova proper imports its own gas from the EU, it is also impacted by the crisis.First, some of Transnistria's neighboring settlements are connected to the Transnistrian energy system and therefore suffer from the crisis.
Second, Moldova itself still gets most of its electricity from the gas-fired Moldavskaya GRES power plant in Transnistria.Several solutions to the crisis exist.Transnistria could buy gas from the EU market, but this will be costly and will likely have to be subsidized by either Moldova or Russia.Another way out of the crisis would be for Russia to resume supplies to Transnistria through Turkey, although part of that pipeline still passes briefly through Ukrainian territory.What about the EU?No gas shortages are expected in EU countries, although alternative sources will be more expensive than direct pipeline supplies via Ukraine.Markus Krug, deputy head of gas department at Austrias regulator E-Control, said that he did not anticipate disruptions because of Austrias reserves and provisions for alternative supplies.Prices might rise temporarily in January but will likely drop again once the market sees that things are working, Krug added.Slovakia estimated the losses for its economy from the Ukraine transit end at 177 million euros ($184 million) for receiving gas through alternative routes.Alternative gas supplies are likely to come mainly from U.S.
liquefied natural gas (LNG).North America's regional LNG production is set to double by 2024, with two new U.S.
LNG plant lines with an annual capacity of 36 billion cubic meters more than double what Russia sent via Ukraine in 2024 (about 15.4 bcm) soon to be operational.EU gas prices could rise to 70 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh) in 2025 from around 50 euros/MWh at the end of 2024 as supplies tighten, Reuters cited Francisco Blanch, head of commodities and derivatives research at Bank of America, as saying.
This compares with average EU gas prices of 17.58 euros/MWh in 2015-2020, Reuters said.Higher electricity costs are often cited as a reason for the EU's weaker industrial output, which was about 1.4% lower in 2024 compared to 2021 and is set to decline by 0.7% in 2025 compared to 2023.How much does Russia lose?Gazprom's Ukrainian transit accounted for about 16% of its export portfolio, which is a "noticeable but not fundamental volume," analyst Sergei Vakulenko said.Russia stands to lose about $4-5 billion in revenues from the end of Ukrainian transit, although these calculations are highly tentative.
For example, the gas Russia supplied to Moldova via Ukraine (about 2 billion cubic meters) had gone to the pro-Russian region of Transnistria and was likely sold at steep discounts or even for free.From a longer-term perspective, the loss of the Ukrainian transit was not a sudden event, but another nail in the coffin of Russia's energy trade with Europe.Drozdovichi gas compressor station on the Ukrainian-Polish border.
Vitaly Grabar / TASSWhile Russian pipeline gas accounted for 31% of gross European supply and gas supplied via Ukraine for 8% in the pre-invasion year of 2021, the respective figures had fallen to 9% and 4% by 2024.Before the end of the Ukrainian transit, Russia had already cut off gas supplies via the Yamal pipeline through Poland and the Nord Stream pipeline through the Baltic Sea, in addition to halving the volumes of gas supplied via Ukraine since 2022.Going forward, Russia will need to focus on expanding the logistics to supply pipeline gas to China and Central Asia, as well as shipping LNG to Europe and more globally.Which European countries still receive Russian gas?Even after the Ukraine transit, some European countries continue to receive Russian gas.Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Hungary and Greece continue to receive Russian pipeline gas via Turkey, while EU countries import Russian LNG.The volume of Russian LNG deliveries to the EU hit 17.8 million tons in 2024, up more than 2 million tons from 2023 and the highest in years, according to figures from analyst firm Rystad Energy.That volume translates to about 24.2 billion cubic meters of gas, compared with 49.5 billion cubic meters the EU receives via pipelines in 2024, Rystad Energy said.So far, the EU has not imposed any restrictions on the purchase of Russian LNG.





Unlimited Portal Access + Monthly Magazine - 12 issues


Contribute US to Start Broadcasting - It's Voluntary!


ADVERTISE


Merchandise (Peace Series)

 


Fact-Check: Trump’s Ukraine Comments Echo Kremlin Talking Points


Trump Slams Zelensky as ‘Dictator Without Elections,’ Claims Only He Can End Ukraine War


[Russia] - Russian Lawmakers Pass Bill Outlawing Desecration of Pro-War Symbols


Putin Praises U.S.-Russia Talks as ‘First Step’ Toward Restoring Ties


[Russia] - 'Nothing Will Ever Be the Same': The Russians Returning Home After Years of Wartime Emigration


Russia Issues First Prison Sentence for ‘LGBT Extremism’


[Russia] - Zelensky Accuses Trump of Falling for Russian 'Disinformation'


[Russia] - Hollywood Studios Discussing Possible Return to Russian Market-- RBC


‘Unusually Public Crisis’: How a Plane Crash Is Driving Russia and Azerbaijan Apart


Putin Receives Mass Complaint Over ‘Bewildering’ Vologda Region Governor – Vedomosti


EU Slaps Fresh Sanctions on Russia, Targeting Aluminum and ‘Shadow Fleet’ Ships


Exiled Former State Duma Lawmaker Ponomaryov Charged With Coup Attempt


U.S. Ukraine Envoy Kellogg Arrives in Kyiv Ahead of Talks With Zelensky


Trump ‘More Confident’ of Ukraine Deal After Talks


[Russia] - Macron Says Trump 'Can Restart Useful Dialogue' With Putin


[Russia] - Kremlin Eyes Grand Bargain as Trump Pushes for Rushed Ukraine Peace Deal


Zelensky Slams U.S-Russia Talks, Urges ‘Fair’ Negotiations


Russia’s Lavrov Says He’s Unaware of Reported ‘3-Stage’ Ukraine Peace Plan


[Russia] - Explainer: Who's Who at the U.S.-Russia Talks in Riyadh


Russia and U.S. Agree to Start Ukraine Peace Talks, But No Plans Yet for Trump-Putin Meeting


Russia-U.S. Talks ‘Went Well,’ Kremlin Aide Says, But No Plans Yet for Trump-Putin Meeting


Kazakh Oil Exports Expected to Drop After Ukrainian Drones Attack Pipeline in Southern Russia


Can Putin Afford to Walk Away from Ukraine Peace Talks


Ukraine Settlement ‘Impossible’ Without Addressing Wider Security Issues, Moscow Says


Nobel Laureates Urge Trump, EU to Secure Release of Belarusian Political Prisoners


[Russia] - Russian Man Jailed 13 Years for Allegedly Trying to Join Ukrainian Army


[Russia] - Russian Air Base in Syria Attacked by Drones-- Reports


[Russia] - U.S.-Russia Talks Begin in Saudi Arabia


[Russia] - UN Expert Sounds Alarm on 2,000 'Political Prisoners' in Russia


[Russia] - Trump Envoy Says U.S. Will Not 'Impose' Deal on Ukraine


European Leaders Battle for Unity in ‘New Phase’ Under Trump


Moscow Furious Over Italy’s ‘Third Reich’ Comparison


[Russia] - Russia Saw 40% Surge in Terrorism Cases in 2024, Top Investigative Body Says


Business Lobby Urges Western Fashion Retailers to Return to Russia


Rostov Region Deputy Governor Arrested for Abuse of Power


[Russia] - 'No Reason for Illusions': Russians Hopeful, But Skeptical on Ukraine Peace Talks


Zelensky to Visit Saudi Arabia After U.S.-Russia Talks


Russia’s Lavrov Says No Point in Inviting European Leaders to Ukraine Talks


U.S. Man Arrested in Russia Over Cannabis-Laced Candy Released


A Tale of Two Munichs


Ukrainian Drones Hit Major Pipeline in Southern Russia, Disrupting Oil Supplies


Saudi Arabia to Host U.S.-Russia Talks on Tuesday, Kremlin Confirms


[Russia] - One Year After His Death, Allies and Supporters Remember Navalny in Berlin Memorial


[Russia] - Zelensky Warns Russia Will 'Wage War' on NATO


Navalny’s Widow Navalnaya Calls for Fight for ‘Free, Peaceful’ Russia


Europe Should ‘Maximize Pressure’ on U.S. Over Peace Talks With Russia – Stubb


Russia’s Putin Bears ‘Ultimate Responsibility’ for Navalny’s Death – EU


Navalny Supporters Risk Reprisals With Memorial Events a Year After Death


Trump Team to Meet Russians, Ukrainians in Saudi Arabia – U.S. Officials


No Seat at the Table for Europe in Ukraine Peace Talks, Says Trump Envoy


[Russia] - Russian Hostage Freed by Hamas in Prisoner Swap


Russia Releases Footage of U.S. Man Detained at Moscow Airport


[Russia] - 'No Decisions' on Ukraine Without Kyiv and Europe, Says Zelensky


[Russia] - Their Leader Ousted By Mass Protests, Abkhazians Vote to Decide Ties With Russia


[Russia] - Vance Tells Zelensky U.S. Wants 'Lasting' Peace


‘No Point Negotiating’ With Putin, Says Navalny’s Widow


Russia Arrests U.S. Man for ‘Smuggling’ Cannabis-Laced Candy


Chemical Weapons Watchdog Says Found Banned CS Agent in Ukraine-Supplied Samples


'Without Ukraine. Without Europe': Russian Pro-War Blogs React to U.S. Statements on Ukraine


[Russia] - Saudi Arabia Welcomes Idea of Hosting Trump-Putin Summit


Putin Taps Spy Chief, Veteran Diplomat and U.S.-Sanctioned Financier for Ukraine Peace Talks – Bloomberg


Russia and Ukraine Exchange More Than 800 Soldiers’ Bodies


[Russia] - Nearly Half of Sanctioned Russian Oligarchs Win Appeals in Western Courts-- RTVI


[Russia] - Zelensky Says Ready for Direct Talks With Moscow After Common Position Is Reached With U.S.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that he was ready for direct talks with Moscow when Kyiv reached a common position with the United Sta


[Russia] - U.S.-Russia Talks 'Obsolete' After Chernobyl Drone Strike &-- Kallas


Russian Drone Strikes Protective Cover at Chernobyl Nuclear Plant, Kyiv Says


[Russia] - Russia's Central Bank Holds Key Rate at 21%, Says Inflation Pressures 'Remain High'


Sisters Returned From Ukraine to Russia With Qatar’s Help


[Russia] - Vance Threatens Sanctions, U.S. Troops in Ukraine if Putin Rejects Peace Deal


Russian Drone Strikes Protective Shelter at Chernobyl Nuclear Plant


Ukrainian Drone Attacks Kill At Least 1 in Russia


Crypto Kingpin Alexander Vinnik Back in Russia After U.S. Handover


Trump Eyes Summit With Xi-Putin, Shaking Up World Order


Rubio Expects Deal on Ukraine Minerals to ‘Pay Back U.S. Taxpayer'


U.K. Defense Chief to Moscow: ‘You Are in a Position of Weakness, Not Strength’


[Russia] - Kremlin Says Ukraine Will Be In Peace Talks 'One Way or Another'


Yandex Users Flooded With Russian Army Recruitment Ads in 2024


'Not Pleasant' That Trump Called Putin First, Zelensky Says


[Russia] - Prosecutors Seek 6-Year Sentence for Russian Influencer on Tax Fraud Charges


‘Doing Our Job For Us’: Russian State Media Rejoice at Trump’s Putin Embrace


Experts, Politicians Lukewarm on Prospects for Putin-Trump Peace Talks


[Russia] - 'Why Are We Handing Russia What It Wants': EU's Chief Diplomat Blasts U.S. Over Ukraine


Pskov Train Station Attack Plotters Killed in Shootout, FSB Says


[Russia] - Moldova Summons Russian Ambassador After Drones Explode on Its Territory


Moscow Returns 8 Ukrainian Children With Qatari Mediation


[Russia] - Trump-Putin Meeting Should Be Organized 'Promptly,' Kremlin Says


[Russia] - 2 Workers Killed in Accident at Russian Potash Mine


[Russia] - Russian Holidaymakers Return to Europe as Demand for Trips Abroad Surges


[Russia] - Russian Stock Market Surges on News of Putin-Trump Talks


Trump’s Ceasefire Push Not a ‘Betrayal’ of Ukraine, Hegseth Says


[Russia] - American Among 3 Detainees Freed by Belarus, White House Says


[Russia] - Putin Tells Trump 'Peaceful Negotiations' on Ukraine War Possible in Leaders' First Call


[Russia] - Washington to Release Russian Crypto Kingpin Alexander Vinnik in Exchange for Marc Fogel, U.S. Official Says


Russia’s 2024 Military Spending Surpassed EU, U.K. Combined in PPP Terms – Study


[Russia] - Over 100 Russians Evacuated to Ukraine After Deadly Kursk Region Strike-- Washington Post


[Russia] - Syria Leader Stresses 'Strong Strategic Ties' in Call With Russia's Putin


Ukraine's Peace Goals 'Unrealistic,' U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth Says


Russia and Ukraine Trade Blame for Disrupting IAEA Staff Rotations at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant


Russian Man Arrested for ‘Confidential Cooperation’ With Foreign Organization – Reports


[Russia] - Soldiers, Teachers and Desperate Fathers: The Americans Still Held in Russian Prisons


Russian Airspace Closure Raises Global CO2 Emissions From Flying, Study Shows


Russian Patriarch Mocks Priest for Questioning Church’s Patriotism


Russian Gas Supplies to Europe via TurkStream Hit New All-Time High in January


Moscow Rejects Territory Swap in Potential Ukraine Peace Deal


[Russia] - Vital Week for NATO as Trump, Ukraine War Test Alliance


Ruble on Track for Best Week Since October


Russian National Jailed in U.S. to Be Released in Prisoner Exchange, Kremlin Says


[Russia] - Dozens of Fishermen in Russia's Far East Swept Out to Sea on Ice Sheet


[Russia] - Singing Pro-War Lawmaker Expelled From State Duma's Defense Committee


Russian Missile Attack on Kyiv Kills At Least 1


[Russia] - Russia Frees American After Visit by Trump Envoy


[Russia] - Ukraine Prepared To Offer Territory Swap With Russia-- Zelensky


Russia Frees American as Trump Envoy Sees ‘Goodwill’ Over Ukraine


Trump Says Sending U.S. Treasury Chief to Ukraine


Russian Oil and Gas Budget Revenues Up 17% Year-on-Year


[Russia] - No Leaks Detected After Oil Tanker Explosion, Russian Officials Say


U.S., U.K. and Australia Sanction Russian Cyber Firm Zservers Over Ransomware Attacks


[Russia] - Russian Spy Agency Accuses Ukraine of Planning Attacks on Baltic Ships and Exiled Opposition


Russia’s State Duma Speaker Demands USAID Funding Lists From Congress


Russian Metals Major Norilsk Nickel's Profits Drop 37% in 2024


Kremlin Dismisses Claims of White House Officials Aboard U.S. Jet to Moscow


[Russia] - Russia Struggles to Keep India Dependent on Its Arms Supplies


Russia in Talks With Ukraine on Humanitarian Corridor for Stranded Kursk Residents


ECHR Rules Moscow Suppressed Dissent Over Ukraine War


Russian Lawmakers Call for Ban on ‘Unusual’ Baby Names Like ‘Dumpling’ and ‘Stool’


North Korea Sent Russia 200 Long-Range Artillery Systems, Seoul Says


[Russia] - Russia Seeks Extradition of Exiled Journalist From Czech Republic


Trump Demands $500Bln in Rare Earth Metals From Kyiv, Says Ukraine ‘May Be Russian Someday’


[Russia] - Ukrainian Drone Attack Sparks Fire at Saratov Region 'Industrial Site'A Ukrainian drone attack sparked a fire at a commercial site in southern Russia's Saratov area, local officials said Tuesday as authorities in Kyiv and Russian media declared


[Russia] - Wildberries Co-Founders Finalize Divorce Amid Corporate Power Struggle


[Russia] - Russian Soldier Convicted of Killing 4 Fellow Servicemen Sentenced to Life in Prison-- Mediazona


[Russia] - Russia Eyes Banning Officials From Using Foreign Messaging Apps


Comments (0)

    Attach images by dragging & dropping or by selecting them.
    The maximum file size for uploads is MB. Only files are allowed.
     
    The maximum number of 3 allowed files to upload has been reached. If you want to upload more files you have to delete one of the existing uploaded files first.
    The maximum number of 3 allowed files to upload has been reached. If you want to upload more files you have to delete one of the existing uploaded files first.
    Posting as