Tensions Rise as Ukraine Ends Russian Gas Transit Agreement

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on October 7 told Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico that Kyiv will not extend a gas-transit deal with Russia when it expires at year's end, a move likely to increase tensions between the EU and NATO member and Ukraine, which aspires to join both organizations. "Ukraine once again says it will not continue the transit agreement with Russia after it expires," Shmyhal told a joint news conference with Fico in the border city of Uzhhorod in western Ukraine on October 7. "Ukraine's strategic goal is to deprive…