Zelensky’s Move to Halt Russian Gas Transit Draws Criticism Across Eastern Europe
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed the decision to end Russian gas transit through Ukraine as a significant blow to Moscow, Fortune reports.
However, the move has sparked backlash in parts of Eastern Europe, where some nations remain reliant on Russian energy supplies.
The flow of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine ceased Wednesday, as Zelensky refused to renew agreements that had allowed the transit of billions of cubic meters of gas for decades. This decision effectively ends a cooperation that had been financially beneficial for both Kyiv and Moscow.
Zelensky framed the decision as a victory for Ukraine and a loss for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The transit of Russian gas is now zero,” Zelensky said.
The President added that Russia had lost one of its most profitable markets due to its weaponization of energy.
While allies such as Poland lauded the move as a “new victory” for the West, other nations voiced significant concerns. Slovakia, which relies heavily on Russian gas, criticized the decision as potentially harmful to the European Union’s energy stability.
“Halting gas transit via Ukraine will have a drastic impact on us all in the EU, but not on the Russian Federation,” said Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has fostered closer ties with Moscow since his return to power.
Hungary, less affected due to its reliance on the Black Sea pipeline, remained quiet on the issue, while European natural gas prices rose to over €50 per megawatt hour, reflecting apprehension among energy buyers.
The European Commission downplayed the immediate impact, asserting that preparations had been made for over a year to handle a scenario without Russian gas transiting through Ukraine. However, the halt created complications in specific regions like Transnistria, a pro-Russian breakaway region in Moldova.
Transnistria reported heating outages, school closures, and a lack of gas, leaving officials scrambling to manage the crisis. The Moldovan government accused Russia of “blackmail” amid ongoing energy disputes, but much of the region’s power infrastructure relies on Russian sources.
While Zelensky defended his decision as a step toward energy independence and a move against what he called “mafia schemes” involving Russian energy, some European leaders accused him of exacerbating challenges for countries still recovering from the fallout of the war.
Energy analysts note that while the EU has reduced its reliance on Russian gas — from over 40% of imports before the 2022 invasion to under 10% in 2023 — certain member states are still vulnerable. Critics argue that Zelensky’s hardline stance could alienate potential allies and strain relationships with nations struggling to balance energy security with geopolitical pressure.
