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Dec 21, 2019 - Energy & Environment

Russia and Ukraine strike a deal for gas transportation

Rashaan Ayesh
Flags of Russia, European Union and Crimea

Photo: Paul Zinken/picture alliance via Getty Images

Ukraine has agreed to allow Russia to continue sending gas through the country to the rest of Europe over the next five years, AP reports.

Why it matters: Europe relies on a large amount of gas from Russia for heating and industry, AP writes. Russia sends roughly 40% of its European gas deliveries through pipelines that cross through Ukraine.

  • Yes, but: Russia will incrementally send smaller amounts as it looks for new ways to transport gas without Ukraine, AP notes.

The big picture: Tensions between the two countries have been consistently high, especially since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently said his country is "at war" with Russia.

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