Gazprom, the Russian gas giant, halted deliveries to Italy this Saturday, a move confirmed by ENI, the Italian energy group. The Tarvisio entry point on the Italian-Austrian border will have an empty flow for the day, signaling a complete pause in Russian gas shipments through that corridor.
The stoppage comes amid broader European efforts to diversify energy sources after the confrontation sparked by President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine. Italy, long reliant on Russian gas, faces a new reality as it seeks to reduce exposure to a single supplier and to strengthen its energy security through new partnerships with nearby and nearby regions.
Official data from Rome shows a sharp shift away from Russian energy, with the government reporting a significant drop in dependency compared with the high levels seen previously. The reduction has been driven by agreements with several producers, notably Egypt, Azerbaijan, and especially Algeria, which has emerged as a principal supplier for the country. Early analyses indicate that these changes may help Italy weather a fresh disruption without severe consequences for its energy system.
Work on a long-term solution
Despite the interruption, ENI and Gazprom have both emphasized their intention to restore supply as soon as possible. ENI noted that gas is still reaching the delivery point between Slovakia and Austria, highlighting that the disruption is being managed within a broader strategic framework and that talks are ongoing to reestablish flows.
The episode marks the fifteenth instance in a series of tensions with Russia over energy shipments. Austria has accused Russia of suspending gas distribution to Italy, while Gazprom explained that Russian gas transit through Austria under the contract with Gazprom Export was halted because the Austrian operator refused to confirm transport nominations. The two sides continue to work toward a practical resolution that would allow gas to move again along the existing routes and contractual paths.