Gazprom stops gas transit to Hungary through Ukraine

Gazprom stops transit of natural gas to Hungary through the territory of Ukraine on October 1, 2021, - the press service of the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine reports.

"The transit of natural gas through the territory of Ukraine in the direction of Hungary was suspended on October 1, 2021, from the beginning of the new gas day (07:00). Applications for gas transit were not received, despite the fact that capacities across Ukraine for access to Hungary were contracted for the entire gas year (from 01.10.2021 to 30.09.2022) in the amount of 24.6 million cu m a day", - the message says.

The department recalled that contract between Hungary and Russia for the transportation of gas in the amount of 4.5 billion cu m a year came into force from October 1, 2021, according to which natural gas will be supplied to Hungary through the Turkish Stream.

As the general director of the GTSOU Serhiy Makohon notes, Hungary has been receiving gas through the territory of Ukraine for decades, which is the most economically profitable route, since it is the shortest way to supply gas to Hungary.

"The monopolization of gas routes by Gazprom, which we are now observing, raises the question of the fundamental principles of the EU gas markets operation – competitiveness and transparency. Strengthening of the market power of one player and his use of levers of influence for obvious political purposes against the backdrop of a shocking rise in gas prices in Europe must be stopped", - Serhiy Makohon believes.