Ukraine's gas transit ambitions face scepticism in Europe
Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced that the country is ready to transit gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, which could alter the region's energy landscape. However, experts are sceptical about whether this route can fully replace supplies from Russia, whose resources the EU is keen to abandon.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's willingness to facilitate the transit of gas from Azerbaijan to Europe during a press conference in Kyiv. The President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, also attended the meeting.
Zelensky highlighted that Azerbaijan has significant export capabilities, amounting to around 25 billion cubic metres of gas. "We can use our infrastructure if countries in Europe need gas. But not Russian gas," noted the President of Ukraine.
Despite Zelensky's assurances, experts have raised doubts about Azerbaijan's capacity to provide sufficient gas to Europe.
Aura Sabadus, a gas market expert from the consulting firm ICIS, noted in an interview with Politico that Azerbaijan's gas resources are limited, and the country is operating at the edge of its capacity. She suggested that new agreements with Azerbaijan might involve volume swaps, potentially leading to Russian gas being relabeled as Azeri.
Russian gas divides the European Union
EU foreign ministers will meet on Monday in Brussels to discuss gas transit through Ukraine. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has threatened to veto EU sanctions against Russia if Ukraine does not agree to resume the transit.
Gas ceased flowing to the EU via Ukraine at the end of 2024 after the transit agreement expired.
"If the Ukrainians want help, for example sanctioning the Russians, then let's reopen the gas transit routes and allow the central European countries, including Hungary, to receive the gas we need through Ukraine," stated the Hungarian leader, known for his amicable relations with the Kremlin.
