Russian gas cut-off due to Ukraine causes energy crisis in Europe and Moldova.

On January 1, 2025, a significant milestone was marked in the relationship between Ukraine and Russia, as well as in the supply of natural gas to Europe, with the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukrainian territory. This event occurred following the expiration of the interaction agreement between Ukraine's gas transmission operator (GTSOU) and the energy giant Gazprom, which had been in effect since December 2019. Starting at 05:00 GMT, Ukraine stopped transporting Russian natural gas, a measure that had been anticipated by Ukrainian authorities in the days leading up to it. Ukraine's decision to cut off supply was not taken lightly. Dmytro Lypa, the general director of GTSOU, noted that the infrastructure had been prepared to operate without the transit of Russian gas, thereby ensuring a secure supply for both the local market and European consumers. This action reflects Ukraine's stance of not allowing Moscow to continue benefiting economically while military aggression persists on its territory. Gazprom, for its part, confirmed the interruption of supplies, citing Ukraine's refusal to renew transit contracts. This situation not only affects Ukraine, which was losing approximately $700 million annually from these contracts, but also raises serious concerns for several European countries that depend on Russian gas, particularly Slovakia. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has expressed his concern, warning of the potential economic repercussions this cutoff could have for the European Union. Slovakia's Minister of Economy also weighed in, stating that her country had been preparing measures to address the interruption. This suggests growing tension between Ukraine and some of its European partners, who are worried about the security of their energy supply at a critical time. The impact of this decision is particularly felt in Moldova, which has declared an energy emergency. Its dependence on Russian gas is so high that the interruption of flow severely affects its only thermal power plant, which could lead the country into a significant energy crisis. In the separatist region of Transnistria, the situation is even more critical, as the population there relies entirely on gas from Russia. Despite these difficulties, the European Commission has stated that it anticipated this scenario and has been working to mitigate the impact of the gas transit interruption. The EU has developed alternative routes to ensure a continuous supply to the most affected countries, emphasizing that European energy infrastructure is flexible enough to adapt to these new realities. Since 2022, the EU has increased its liquefied natural gas (LNG) import capacities and has strengthened its focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency. This has been part of a broader strategy to reduce dependency on Russian gas, especially in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. The EU's ability to adapt to this energy crisis will be tested in the coming months. However, the analysis of the economic consequences of the supply cutoff is alarming. According to a study by the Slovak company SPP, the interruption of gas transit could result in a significant increase in gas prices in European markets, which would, in turn, imply additional costs of up to €50 billion for households and businesses in the EU. These figures underscore the vulnerability of the European bloc to fluctuations in gas supply. The fact that Ukraine has decided to cut off gas supply amid Russia's ongoing military aggression raises questions about the future of gas transit in the region and Europe's energy security. As European nations face this new reality, the challenge will be to balance the need to diversify their energy sources while maintaining diplomatic relations with Ukraine and other strategic partners in the region. The outcome of this situation will largely depend on the responses that the EU and its member states are willing to implement to ensure energy stability. The gas crisis could be a catalyst for greater cooperation in the European energy sector, but it may also provoke internal tensions if countries fail to quickly adapt to the new dynamics of gas supply on the continent.