Russia is ready to negotiate with the European Union on the supply of natural gas, as the transit agreement with Ukraine expires at the end of 2024, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Novak said on Saturday, according to several news agencies.

Under a five-year deal signed between Moscow and Kyiv in 2019, Russia exports natural gas to Europe through Ukraine and pays it to use its pipeline network, Reuters noted.

The deal continued despite the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine in February 2022, although Russian gas supplies to Europe have since declined.

Earlier this week, the Ukrainian government said it would not try to negotiate with Moscow on the possibility of extending the gas transit agreement.

“If the other side – the EU – wants it, we are ready to talk. So far, we do not see such a desire,” Novak said, RIA quoted the agency.

On Friday, a European Union official declined to speculate on whether the transit deal with Ukraine would be extended beyond the end of 2024, but said the bloc was evaluating all scenarios to make sure it was ready.

The conflict in Ukraine has spawned a pan-European campaign to replace Russian fuel with alternative supplies and renewable energy.

But Gazprom, the Kremlin-controlled company that monopolizes pipeline exports, continues to send gas to Europe through Ukraine.