The deal to transport gas via the war-torn country to the rest of the continent expired, meaning Europe won't be able to access Russian gas via Ukraine

Russian ruler Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, 26 December, answering a question about the prospects for ending the war in Ukraine in 2025, that he was "striving" to end it but was still going to achieve his "goals".

The deal, which was signed in 2019, has survived three years of war but its expiration means European states reliant on Russian gas won't be able to access it via Ukraine.