Russia is ready for talks with the European Union on the supply of natural gas, as the transit agreement with Ukraine expires at the end of 2024, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said today, Russian news agencies reported.

The 2019 five-year agreement between Moscow and Kyiv provides that Russia exports natural gas to Europe via Ukraine and pays Ukraine for the use of its pipeline network.

The agreement was implemented despite Russia’s invasion and war in Ukraine from February 2022, although Russian gas shipments to Europe have since shrunk.

This week, media reported that, according to the Ukrainian government, Kiev will not seek talks with Moscow to extend the agreement.

“If the other side wishes, we are ready to discuss. So far, we don’t see any desireAlexander Novak said today, according to the RIA agency.

A European Union official declined to speculate on the possibility of extending the deal beyond the end of 2024, but said the EU was assessing all scenarios to ensure it was ready.

The war in Ukraine prompted the European Union to replace Russian energy resources with alternative supplies and renewable energy sources.

However, Russian monopoly state giant Gazprom continues to export natural gas through Ukraine.