In a first, Ukraine shuts off one-third gas supply from Russia to Europe, blames Moscow

Natural gas supplies have transited uninterrupted through the war-torn country even after the invasion since 24 February.

An LNG plant on the Isle of Grain in Rochester, UK | Representational image | Bloomberg

New Delhi: Ukraine Wednesday stopped some of the Russian gas that passes through its territory to Europe, blaming the “interference of the occupying forces”.

Natural gas supplies from Russia to Europe have transited uninterrupted through the war-torn country – a major route – even after the invasion since 24 February. This is the first time that supplies have been disrupted.

Ukraine’s gas transmission systems operator (GSTOU) said it was “impossible to fulfill obligations” to European partners due to “the interference of the occupying forces in technical processes”.

It said Russia’s interference had “endangered the stability and safety” of the Ukrainian gas transportation system.

The company said it would redirect gas from the Sokhranivka transit point, which is in an area occupied by Russian forces, to another in a Ukraine-controlled are. The transit point delivered almost a third of the fuel piped from Russia to Europe via Ukraine.

The pipeline via the Sokhranovka point runs through Ukraine’s Luhansk region, part of which is under pro-Russian separatists.

Calls for sanctions have mounted on Russian gas which accounts for major revenue for the country and is also a vulnerability of Europe.

“Russia supplied about 40% of the European Union’s gas demand last year, and about a third of that was sent via Ukraine, making it a linchpin in the continent’s energy security,” reported Bloomberg.

The European Union on 4 May proposed a ban on Russian oil as part of its sixth round of sanctions on the country for its invasion of Ukraine.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen tweeted: “Finally, we now propose a ban on Russian oil. Let’s be clear: it will not be easy. But we simply have to work on it. We will make sure that we phase out Russian oil in an orderly fashion. To maximise pressure on Russia, while minimising the impact on our economies.”

The talks on the latest package of sanctions are ongoing and likely to conclude soon.