Ukraine has halted the transportation of Russian gas to Europe as its prewar transit deal expired on January 1, 2025.
The decision aims to protect national security, with Ukraine's Energy Minister stating, "This is a historic event. Russia is losing markets and will incur financial losses."
Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova, has faced heating and hot water cutoffs due to the gas flow suspension, affecting approximately 450,000 residents.
Many European countries, including Slovakia and Austria, now seek to diversify their gas supplies amid the energy crisis sparked by the continued conflict.
In recent weeks, Ukraine received its first shipment of liquefied natural gas from the United States, marking a significant shift towards energy independence.
The cessation of Russian gas supplies via Ukraine is expected to exacerbate the ongoing energy crisis across Europe.