Azerbaijan can play a crucial role in maintaining gas supplies to Europe, as the EU searches for alternatives to Russian supplies via Ukraine.
Bloomberg reported 15 October that the European Union energy ministers were considering two main alternatives to replace current transit flows through Ukraine.
The ministers will meet in Luxembourg on the 15th of October to discuss future Russian natural gas imports, as a key transit deal between Moscow and Kyiv is nearing expiration.
The transit agreement between Moscow & Kyiv allows Russian gas to be transported into Europe via Ukraine’s pipeline system. This agreement, which expires in 2025, is a vital part of Europe’s energy supply, and a source for revenue for Ukraine.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine on a large scale, Ukraine has said that it will not renew the gas transit agreement after its expiration. It cited both energy security concerns as well as the ongoing war with Russia.
Bloomberg reports that the EU ministers are struggling to maintain energy security, while continuing to reduce their dependence on Russian fossil-fuels.
One option is to replace Russia as a supplier with Azerbaijan. Details are allegedly unclear.
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