Ukraine takes historic step to energy independence with signing of two new bills

摘要

Ukraine’s parliament on Thursday adopted a bill which will open up 49% of the state-owned transit gas transmission systems of Naftogaz to EU and US companies. A second bill, which would enable Ukraine to impose sanctions on Russia, was also adopted as Kiev moves decisively to finally break its energy ties with Moscow amid rapidly deteriorating relations between the two countries. As the conflict on Ukraine’s eastern border with Russia continues to intensify, EU officials are scrambling to find ways to guarantee stable gas transit as winter approaches in Europe.