Moscow has found itself in a weaker position in its negotiations with Kyiv on continuing natural gas transit through Ukraine to Europe after December 31. The current 10-year gas transmission agreement between Russia’s Gazprom and Naftogaz of Ukraine will expire at the end of the year. Russia was hoping to have two new mega-pipelines operational by that time, but the construction of Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream 2 has been delayed significantly (Biznesalert.com, March 27; Senate.gov, May 2019). Even Russian energy experts admit now that these pipelines will not be ready as soon as Moscow needs them: Ukrainian transit will remain essential for Gazprom in the next few years (TASS, September 20).