Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence in the outcome of the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, which his country is assisting, so that Russian gas can continue to flow through Ukraine to several European countries, Reuters reported. quoted by BTA.
Aliev was speaking before the annual Ambrosetti economic forum in the Italian resort town of Chernobio, which gathers businessmen and politicians on the shores of Lake Como in September.
The European Union and Ukraine have asked Azerbaijan to facilitate discussions with Russia regarding the gas transit agreement, which expires at the end of this year.
Last week, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced that from January 1, 2025, the transit of Russian gas through the territory of his country will be suspended with the expiration of the bilateral agreement on this.
Although the EU has reduced most of its dependence on Russian natural gas imports, some Central European countries still rely on Russian blue fuel imported through a pipeline that runs through Ukraine. Austria still receives most of its gas via this route.
"We just want to support these countries and also Ukraine, because if the transit stops, the gas distribution system of Ukraine will be absolutely paralyzed," Aliyev said.
The Azerbaijani president, who yesterday met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, said that there is "some optimism" regarding recent discussions between Russia and Ukraine. "We think there is a possibility of a breakthrough, but it is premature to go into details," he said.