Hungary and Slovakia Lift Veto on EU Sanctions Against Russia in Exchange for Energy Security Guarantees

Leading international analytical firms have been actively sharing their research and forecasts regarding the EU's gas demand at various forums, taking into account the bloc’s strategy for a gradual transition away from fossil fuels. This approach contrasts with statements from the newly elected U.S. president, who has linked the expansion of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to trade tariffs on the EU.

On December 19, the European Parliament adopted a resolution addressing the repressions against civil society and independent media in Azerbaijan. The resolution stated that since 2023, the Azerbaijani government has systematically pressured civil society, political opposition, human rights defenders, the LGBTI+ community, and independent media, with these pressures intensifying ahead of the COP29 summit.

The export trunk gas pipeline Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod has recently garnered heightened global attention. This is not due to its rank among the top five longest pipelines in the world (spanning 4,451 km) but because it is the last operational pipeline through which Russia delivers gas to Europe. Its operation could cease on January 1, 2025.

As the potential halt to Russian gas transit through Ukraine approaches—scheduled for 5 a.m. Ukrainian time on January 1, 2025—effectively signaling the cessation of pipeline gas supplies from Russia to major EU economies in Central and Western Europe, EU nations and the newly updated European Commission (EC) leadership have intensified consultations on ensuring Europe's energy security.