**EU Prepares for Life Without Russian Gas Transit**
Europe is getting ready to stop relying on Ukraine to transport gas from Russia. From January 1, Kyiv will not renew its contract with Gazprom, the Russian energy giant.
This means that Russia’s gas will no longer flow through Ukraine and into Europe via the Druzhba pipeline. But don’t expect a big impact in Europe. The European Commission says it has prepared alternative routes for over a year now.
**Alternative Routes Already in Place**
The EU has increased its capacity to import liquid natural gas (LNG) from other countries. It’s also been investing in renewable energy sources, which makes the country less dependent on Russian gas. “The impact of the suspension of transit through Ukraine on ensuring the security of EU supplies is limited,” said a European Commission representative.
**Slovakia Will Feel the Pinch**
However, Slovakia will be most affected by this change. The country’s Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Vladimir Putin in December to discuss gas supplies. If Kyiv doesn’t renew the deal, Bratislava might cut electricity supplies to Ukraine.
**Hungary Not Impacted**
But Hungary will continue to import Russian gas via a different pipeline called TurkStream. This means that it won’t be affected by the end of the deal between Russia and Ukraine.
**Ukraine Warns of Security Threats**
In preparation for this change, Ukraine’s Gas Transmission System Operator has warned that its gas transit infrastructure could come under attack from Russia. The company is taking measures to ensure the security of its facilities.
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