(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.

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.

Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, affirmed in a call with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico that Kyiv opposes the continuation of the transit deal with Russian Gazprom, but added that Ukraine is willing to transport gas through its natural gas transmission system if it is not from Russia.

Ukraine is ready to fulfill its obligations under the EU Association Agreement for the transit of any gas, except from Russia. Prime <a targ

Maintaining gas supplies through Ukraine is important for the whole European Union, not just Kyiv's neighbours, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Monday after speaking to European Council President Antonio Costa.

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 announced that the gas transit deal with Russia will end by the end of the year. Ukraine is open to discussing gas transit of non-Russian origin upon official approach from the European Commission.

European countries and companies have a combined demand for around 15 billion cubic metres (BCM) of Russian gas next year via Ukraine, Slovakia's economy minister said on Monday.

The agreement between Ukraine and Russia on gas transit expires on January 1, 2025 and will not be extended, but in the event of an appeal by the European Commission, Ukraine is ready to implement the transit of any gas except Russian,

Slovakia aims to have a deal by the end of the year that will allow natural gas to continue to flow from Russia through Ukraine, Denisa Sakova, the nation’s deputy prime minister and economy minister said.