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EU Leaders Set to Discuss Gas Transit With Zelenskiy in Brussels

(Bloomberg) -- European Union leaders are set to discuss Russian gas transit through Ukraine, among other topics, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Brussels. 

Asked whether there’s a chance at renewing Ukraine’s gas transit deal beyond this year, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides told reporters “it’s one of the issues we’ll discuss with President Zelenskiy.” Talks have been ongoing for months to keep the transit alive, with buyers now stepping up pressure and discussions intensifying.

The crucial question is whether Russia and Ukraine can agree terms that are acceptable to both sides as tensions deepen. While a renewal is unlikely because Ukraine has said it doesn’t want Russian gas to continue to flow across its territory once the current agreement expires, possible alternatives being discussed involve fuel swaps and other intermediaries.

“Realistically, no,” Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said in response to the same question about chance of Ukraine gas transit renewal beyond this year. 

Meanwhile, Austria’s government is aware of efforts by Slovakia — one of the countries which still relies on Russian gas — to extend transit via Ukraine, but does not know of any deal that is ready to sign, said Juergen Schneider, the head of the energy department at Austria’s Energy Ministry.

Zelenskiy met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and a group of European leaders in Brussels late Wednesday to discuss increased support for Kyiv ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January. 

--With assistance from Jonathan Tirone and Marton Eder.

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