It is uncertain whether Austria will be able to use the Ukrainian pipeline on its own from 2025. The European Union has repeatedly criticised the Alpine republic for depending on energy supply from Moscow.
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00:00 With concerns about future energy supplies and its economy, Austria is said to be defying moves by other EU countries to cut its reliance on gas from Russia.
00:10 Moscow is still piping gas through Ukraine to Europe despite the war.
00:15 The flow could be affected when a contract between Ukraine and Russia expires next year.
00:20 The physical pipeline is still available. Gas can only flow with other partners. If a European marketer comes and says, "I would like to book the pipeline to transport gas,"
00:36 there is no direct contract between Naftogaz and Gazprom. So it will be fulfilled.
00:43 Ukrainian oil and gas company Naftogaz issued a statement saying it has no intention or initiative to extend the existing supply contract from 2025.
00:54 It's not clear whether Austria would be able to use the Ukrainian pipeline on its own.
01:00 Vienna insists it's doing all it can to cut ties with the Kremlin but describes its situation as unique.
01:08 Euronews correspondent Johannes Plöschberger has more.
01:13 In order to replace Russian gas from the east, Austria wants to import gas from the west.
01:19 But construction work on the pipeline to Germany is necessary.
01:23 But construction work on the pipeline to Germany is necessary.
01:29 So two years too late.
01:31 Because of these delays, Austria is still dependent on Russia and Ukraine.
01:36 Johannes Plöschberger, Euronews, Vienna.
01:39 (whooshing)