Moscow: Russia has accused Western nations, particularly the United States and certain European authorities, along with Kyiv, of being responsible for the cessation of Russian gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine. This development follows the expiration of a five-year agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, as Ukraine refused to renew the deal amidst the ongoing conflict between the two countries that began in February 2022.

According to Anadolu Agency, Ukrainian officials have stated their decision to not extend the deal, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizing that Kyiv will not allow Moscow to "earn additional billions" during the war. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin previously described the agreement as a thing of the past, affirming that Russia's energy giant, Gazprom, would endure despite the contract's end.

In a written statement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova highlighted that Ukraine's refusal to extend the agreement came despite Gazprom fulfilling its contractual obligations. Zakharova remarked that this cessation of Russian energy supply diminishes Europe's economic potential and adversely affects the quality of life for European citizens.

Zakharova further argued that Ukraine's decision is influenced by the geopolitical context, with the United States being the 'primary beneficiary of the redistribution of the energy market in Europe' and a key sponsor of the Ukrainian crisis. She noted that Germany is the first to feel the impact, having to purchase natural gas at significantly higher prices following the explosions on the Nord Stream pipeline in September 2022.

Highlighting the repercussions, Zakharova claimed that Germany has begun shutting down several major production facilities and warned that other European nations will also face consequences due to what she described as the prioritization of financial support for the American economy over the well-being of European citizens. Responsibility for halting Russian gas supplies, she asserted, lies with the US, Ukraine, and European authorities.