The companies’ plea to the EU comes as the region faces a gas supply cutoff from Moscow via Ukraine later this month.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Dec. 16 that the deal allowing Russian gas to transit through Ukraine will not be extended beyond the end of the year. His statement comes as several European countries intensify efforts to secure alternative energy supplies.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Monday that Ukraine was willing to devise a deal enabling gas to transit through its territory to western Europe, but ruled out any extension of an existing deal with Russia.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has announced that Slovakia is holding "very intensive" talks to ensure Ukraine continues to transit Russian gas in 2025. Source: Voice of America Details: The gas transit contract between Ukraine and Russia is set to expire on 1 January 2025 and Ukraine has stated it does not plan to extend the agreement.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. The parties discussed the issue of gas transit through Ukraine, according to the head of the Ukrainian government on Telegram.

(Reuters) -Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Monday a deal enabling the transit of Russian gas through his country would not be extended beyond the end of the year, as some European countries stepped up their search for needed supplies.