Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko opposed the continuation of Russian gas transit after 2024, when the current contract expires. In an interview with Bloomberg, he expressed a position that contradicts a recent statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

At a press conference on March 4, Shmyhal said that Ukraine is ready to provide gas transit services from Russia after the contract expires if requested by EU countries. First of all, he referred to Austria and Slovakia, which import gas from Russia via Ukraine.

Galushchenko said that this option is not on the agenda.

"We are ready to stop it (transit). If someone says that this issue is critical for survival in the winter, that it is a matter of security of supply, that is one situation. But I do not see such a situation," the minister said.

As an option, Galushchenko suggested using Ukrainian underground storage facilities.

In 2023, Ukraine transported 14.6 billion cubic meters of Russian gas. According to Galushchenko, the same volume could be pumped into underground gas storage facilities before the heating season, and in winter, it could be raised and exported to the European Union.

"I think it's fair. Don't say we cannot live without Russian gas," he said.