Vedomosti Reports Russian Gas Exports to EU Near Maximum Through Ukraine

Gazprom data indicates that Russian gas deliveries through Ukraine are nearing their maximum capacity.

According to Vedomosti newspaper, citing information from energy giant Gazprom, Russian gas exports to the EU and Moldova through Ukraine are approaching their maximum capacity using existing infrastructure.

The outlet reported on Saturday that a total of 1.31 billion cubic meters of gas were transported through this route in October.

Based on Gazprom’s figures, the average daily volume of Russian gas delivered through the Ukrainian gas transmission system last month reached 42.3 million cubic meters, marking a 5% increase compared to October 2023.

Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the EU implemented sanctions against Moscow, prioritizing the reduction of its reliance on Russian energy. Nevertheless, deliveries of Russian gas to the bloc continue almost three years later.

At present, the transit line through Ukraine and the European arm of TurkStream remain the only two pipelines through which piped Russian gas can reach central and southern Europe.

Kiev has stated that it does not intend to extend the current transit agreement with Gazprom when it expires at the end of the year.

Earlier this week, Hungary, an EU member state, announced that it had imported 6.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas via the TurkStream this year. “This is the largest volume of gas to date” in annual terms, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated.

Last month, the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) reported that the share of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the EU market had reached 20% this year, a 6% increase compared to 2023.