Ukrainian transit gas deal to Europe ended on Jan. 1. For now, the most acute effects are being felt in a region called Transnistria, on the eastern edge of Moldova.

With transit routes through Ukraine for Russian gas cut off, a few EU countries now need to rethink their gas supply. For others – including Germany and Switzerland – the impact will be minimal.

Central European gas flows have adapted to the halt of Russian supplies through Ukraine on Jan. 1, as increased shipments to the region from Germany and Italy make up the shortfall, data from network operators showed on Monday.

Ukraine has halted Russian gas supplies to European customers through its pipeline network, almost three years into Moscow’s all-out invasion of its neighbor

Ukraine, which had allowed Russian oil and gas to cross its territory to serve Europe while fighting Moscow’s invasion since 2022, refused to renew the deal.

Russian natural gas flows to Europe across Ukraine appear poised to halt Wednesday, after a transit deal expires, raising the stakes for the continent’s energy security as it draws heavily on reserves.

The gas supply was halted by Ukraine, which collected transit fees while a Russian state-owned energy giant earned money from the supply.

The ongoing conflict has highlighted the importance of diversifying gas supplies to build resilience against geopolitical risks.

Ukraine loses billions in gas transit fees, Europe faces soaring energy prices, with Russia largely insulated from the fallout