Ukraine, Russia, and the EU “in principle” have a new trilateral agreement on gas transit to Europe

Ukraine, Russia, and the EU “in principle” have a new trilateral agreement on gas transit to Europe, tweeted European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič on Thursday night in Berlin. The EU official described the situation as “positive news for Europe, Russia and Ukraine.” Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak wrote “Today we really did a very good job, prepared a draft protocol, a detailed protocol that has high readiness, which currently needs to be agreed upon and I hope that we will come to final agreements in the near future.” The current 10-year agreement between Ukraine and Russia on the conditions of transportation of Russian natural gas through the Ukrainian territory to Europe expires Jan. 1.