Kiev's refusal to renew gas transmission contracts with Gazprom "weakens Europe's economic potential," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said in a statement on Thursday, adding that the United States was the main beneficiary of the halt in Russian gas supplies to the European Union via Ukraine.
"The United States is the main beneficiary of the redistribution of the Old World energy market, and also the main sponsor of the Ukrainian crisis. The first victim of its predatory strategy is Europe's largest economy, Germany," Zakharova noted.
Berlin is forced to buy natural gas at "much higher prices," the Russian diplomat noted, adding that Europe is "paying the price of American patronage."
The agreement on the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine expired on December 31. Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the possibility of extending this agreement even to purchases by third countries.
Henceforth, the only pipeline carrying Russian gas to Europe is the Balkan Stream, which is connected to the Turk Stream.