Ukraine has sufficient gas reserves in storage, ensuring no issues for the population, according to an expert.

After the halt of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, gas prices in Europe did not rise. Ukrainian consumers will also face no issues with gas supply, as Ukraine produces enough gas and has sufficient reserves in storage.

https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-economy/3947395-ukraina-vidobuvae-ta-mae-v-shovisah-dostatno-gazu-problem-dla-naselenna-ne-bude-ekspert.html2025-01-11 08:20:24

Following the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, gas prices in Europe have not risen. Ukrainian consumers will also face no supply issues, as Ukraine produces enough gas and has sufficient reserves.

This opinion was expressed by the former general director of LLC "Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine" (2019-2022), Serhiy Makohon, in an interview with Ukrainian Radio, as reported by Ukrinform.

The expert noted that the halt in gas transit was not unexpected for Ukraine: Russians had previously halted transit in 2006 and 2009. "We started preparing to live without transit back then. We managed to restructure our system so that gas could be transported not only from east to west but also in the opposite direction—from the west, where our storage facilities are located, to the east, where we have a significant number of consumers. Therefore, the system was fully ready... There is sufficient gas available, and there will be no 'rolling blackouts.' Ukraine produces enough gas, and we have ample gas in our storage facilities, so there will be no issues with gas supply to the population," Makohon believes.

According to him, the current price of gas in Europe is 45 euros per MWh, while just two weeks ago it was 50 euros.

At the same time, the expert expressed the view that the Ukrainian gas transmission system requires optimization. In his opinion, Ukraine should close unnecessary stations, "because there will never be such a large transit as before," but this does not mean "we will be digging up pipes or cutting them for scrap metal."

Moreover, the expert pointed out that as a result of the cessation of gas transit through Ukraine, Russia has lost about 6.5 million dollars. This loss affects not only Russia's economic influence over Europe but also its political influence.

As previously reported, the transit contract for transporting Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine’s gas transmission system expired on December 31. This event elicited a strong reaction from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who, after a trip to Moscow on December 27 of last year, threatened retaliatory actions in response to Ukraine's cessation of Russian gas transit. Specifically, such threats included halting electricity exports to Ukraine and a "significant reduction" in support for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia.

However, following the expiration of the contract for Russian gas transit through Ukraine to EU countries, the situation in the European Union's energy market remains stable.