**EU Prepared for Russian Gas Cut**
The European Commission has confirmed that it spent over a year working with member states to ensure alternative gas supplies, especially for countries in Central and Eastern Europe. This comes as Ukraine stopped transporting Russian natural gas through its territory on January 1, 2025.
Ukraine cited national security interests for stopping the gas transit. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously described the transit revenues as “billions in blood.” The existing gas transit agreement between Ukraine and Russia expired at the same time.
The EU says its gas infrastructure has enough flexibility to accommodate non-Russian gas deliveries through different routes. The Commission pointed out that expanded LNG import capabilities have been established since 2022, making it easier to get gas from other countries.
The EU claims that its gas supply security has been strengthened in recent years through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy development. However, tensions have arisen with Slovakia’s response to Ukraine’s transit halt. Pro-Russia Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened to cut electricity supplies to Ukraine and met with Vladimir Putin to discuss alternative gas arrangements.
Ukrainian energy experts say the country can offset potential Slovak electricity cuts by importing power from Poland, Hungary, and Romania. They believe Fico’s threatened actions would have minimal impact on Ukraine’s power grid stability.
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