The Russian gas group Gazprom has stopped supplying gas to Hungary via Ukraine and will now use a pipeline along the Black Sea bed for this purpose.
“For decades, Hungary has received gas through Ukrainian territory, and Ukraine has not even breached its obligations,” said Serhiy Makohon, head of the Ukrainian gas transportation company.
He added that the Ukrainian route is also the most cost-effective.
A new gas supply agreement between Russian and Hungarian companies came into force on Friday, providing that 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas will be supplied to Hungary via the Black Sea, Turkey, Bulgaria and Serbia in 15 years, but bypassing Ukraine.
Ukraine is increasingly losing its status as a major transit country for Russian natural gas supplies to the European Union, with routes through the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea.
As a result, Ukraine loses billions of euros in revenue, forcing Kiev to accuse Moscow of deliberately using natural gas as a weapon. The Kremlin denies the allegations.
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