Kiev, 1 January 2025 (dpa/MIA) - The transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe has been suspended as planned, the state-controlled exporter Gazprom announced on New Year's Day.

The Russian company had no legal or technical means of pumping the gas through Ukraine following the non-renewal of the transit contract by the leadership in Kiev, the company wrote on Telegram.

Filling had therefore been suspended since 6 am (0500 GMT). This means that Slovakia no longer receives Russian gas via this pipeline.

Slovakia, an EU and NATO member state bordering Ukraine, has threatened Kiev with consequences for taking the step.

The validity of the contract signed on December 30, 2019, expired this morning, Gazprom said, noting that the Ukrainian side repeatedly refused to extend the contract.

Kiev said it would no longer allow the transit of Russian gas through its territory in order to deny Moscow billions of dollars in revenues that are being used to fund the war on Ukraine.

The Slovakian government has castigated Kiev for the decision, while assuring the population that its gas storage facilities are 100% full, with enough reserves for the winter period.

Prime Minister Robert Fico, who critics accuse of taking a pro-Russian stance, threatened in turn to stop electricity supplies from Slovakia to Ukraine.

Fico remains one of the EU's strongest opponents of military aid to Ukraine.

Moldova was also to have been affected by the Ukrainian transit ban. However, Gazprom had already decided to stop deliveries to the former Soviet republic, where pro-European and pro-Russian forces are vying for power, due to alleged debts.

The Moldovan government has denied it owes Gazprom a debt of $790 million.

Photo: Ukraine Ministry of Energy