Russia not in talks on renewal of gas transit deal after 2024 - Naftogaz

Russia may not extend the agreement on natural gas transit to the European Union after 2024, according to Yuriy Vitrenko, head of Ukraine's state energy firm Naftogaz.

Vitrenko said this in a comment to Reuters on Monday, November 29, Ukrinform reports.

"There's nothing, not even a hint, no official or unofficial talks, (with Russia)... we are discussing it with the Americans and the Germans that all of us would like the transit to continue, but the Russians are reluctant to start these discussions," he said.

According to Vitrenko, if the deal is not renewed, reliance on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines direct to Germany will tighten Russia's grip on Europe's gas supplies, making the bloc more vulnerable to politically motivated supply disruptions and price spikes.

He also stressed that Ukraine's involvement in the approval process for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline does not give it any power to halt its ultimate certification.

"There is no veto power whatsoever," he said.

Germany's energy regulator on November 16 suspended the approval process for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

On November 15, Naftogaz and the Gas Transit System Operator of Ukraine were included as part of the certification process.

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