V. Zelensky says he will ban transit of Russian gas through Ukraine

The decision to cut the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine was only announced after more than 2 years of war

V. Zelensky announced that the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine will be cut off from the end of 2024. The move was announced at a press conference after a high-level meeting with European Union leaders in Brussels, marking a major turning point in European energy policy.

V. Zelensky noted that this policy of restrictions would apply to all gas flows "coming from Russia", to avoid the risk of Russian gas being sold to Europe under the disguise of Azerbaijani gas.

"We are not going to extend the transit of Russian gas", Zelensky told reporters. "We will not allow them to make additional billions from our blood. And any country that gets something cheaper from Russia will eventually become dependent on Russia - this will happen in a month or a year. That is their policy."

V. Zelensky's decision may not please Slovak Prime Minister Fico

This statement may not go down well with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, whose landlocked country, heavily dependent on Russian gas supplies, imports three billion cubic meters of gas a year from Gazprom, the Russian gas monopoly covering most of its domestic needs.

Although Russian gas supplies to the bloc have fallen sharply since the start of the full invasion, some supplies continue despite sanctions, with the free movement of gas. As the end of the transit approaches, Slovakia has stepped up diplomatic efforts to ensure the country's energy flow is not disrupted.

Azerbaijan could become an alternative for Slovakia

As an alternative, Bratislava may turn to Azerbaijan, a small Caucasus country that has positioned itself as an affordable option for Europe to replace Russian gas. Deals with Azerbaijan are controversial due to the country's poor human rights record.

However, Mr Zelensky made it clear on Thursday that such fraudulent operations will not be tolerated, arguing that the Kremlin-dominated Russia will still make money and retain a major source of revenue to fund their costly and brutal invasion.

The Ukrainian leader offered one exception to the ban: Ukraine would allow the transit of Russian gas if the European buyer agreed not to pay Russia until the war's end. However, this would probably violate the treaty and stop Gazprom.

"We will think about it," he said. "But we will not give Russia any chance to make extra billions to spend on the war."

This news is likely to complicate ties between Kyiv and Bratislava further.