Dec 21, 2019 - Energy & Climate

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.

Go deeper:

In "rare agreement," Russia and Ukraine swap prisoners
Ukrainian Orthodox Church formally sheds Russian ties
U.S. sanctions bill hinders work on Russian-backed pipeline — for now

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Russia and Ukraine strike a deal for gas transportation

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