Ukraine is discussing the possibility of transiting Azerbaijani gas to the European Union, as it plans to maintain its role as a transit country.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this, Bloomberg reports.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is negotiating natural gas supplies from Azerbaijan to the European Union as it seeks to maintain its role as a transit country. In addition, Ukraine wants to help its western neighbors ensure energy security.
The President explained that the agreement to replace Russian gas with Azerbaijani supplies is “one of the proposals currently being discussed.”
"This is what officials are doing now. Alternative steps are now being considered on how we can use the pipeline with another gas supplier, another country. Negotiations are ongoing. We do not want to renew the gas contract with the Russian Federation. We do not want them to make money here," – Zelenskyy said.
Russian gas supplies to the EU
The supply of Russian gas to the European Union has always been an important element of European energy security. Russia was one of the largest suppliers of natural gas to EU countries, providing a significant part of their energy needs.
Azerbaijani gas plays an important role in ensuring the energy security of the European Union, helping to reduce dependence on Russian gas and contribute to the stability and reliability of energy supplies in the region.
Azerbaijan is also actively working to expand its infrastructure to increase gas supplies to Europe in the future.