Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, believes that by halting the transit of Russian gas to EU states, Ukraine has deprived Russia of one of its last tools of influence over Europe. Source: Andrii Sybiha on X (Twitter),

Profile Sections Local tv Featured More From NBC Follow NBC News news Alerts There are no new alerts at this time A major natural gas pipeline supplying Russian energy to Europe ran dry Wednesday after Ukraine stopped Moscow’s six-decade supply in hope of hurting its invader financially.

Ukraine terminated Russian natural gas transit through its territory on Jan. 1, having repeatedly warned it would not extend the agreement when it expired at the end of 2024 because it did not want to finance Russia's war.

Russia can no longer use energy as a weapon, the minister said on X, adding, "Europe and the world will be safer without Russian gas, oil, and other dependencies — as well as without Russia itself." Read also: Naftogaz chief: Gas storage operations in Ukraine continue despite Russian strikes Termination of Russian gas transit from Jan.

On New Year's Day, the transfer of Russian gas through Ukraine has ended after Kyiv had refused to extend a long-running contract due to Russia's war against the country.