The agreement allowing Russian gas to transit through Ukraine to Europe will expire in a few days. Our eastern neighbors have already announced that they do not intend to extend it. The Kremlin is trying to put on a brave face,

European natural gas advanced after Russian President Vladimir Putin cast further doubt on the likelihood of a deal to maintain flows to Europe via Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday there was no time left this year to sign a new Ukrainian gas transit deal, and laid the blame firmly on Ukraine for refusing to extend the agreement that brings gas to Slovakia,

Vladimir Putin has said that he will not sign a new gas transit deal with Ukraine by the end of the year, dashing his allies, Slovakia and Hungary's, hopes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said any new deal for transporting natural gas through Ukraine will be challenging.