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.

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.

A transnational pipeline was shut down on Wednesday after Kyiv refused to renew a prewar agreement that allowed for the transit of Russian gas through its territory.

Russian gas supplies sent via Ukraine to Europe for more than 40 years are scheduled to end on January 1 after Ukraine's Naftogaz refused to renew its latest five-year transit deal with Russia's Gazprom.

The White House described Ukraine's suspension of Russian gas transit as one of the most expensive defeats for Moscow, costing it around US$6.5 billion in revenue each year. Source: John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Advisor,

This will clearly deprive Russia of about $6.5 billion in annual revenue from gas sales to Europe. It’s one of the biggest and most expensive losses for Moscow. Of course, we welcome Ukraine’s decision and its determination,

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

The shutdown of Russian gas transit through Ukrainian territory is one of Moscow's "most costly defeats," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said, as reported by Ukrinform on Jan.