Russia’s share of the EU pipeline natural gas market dropped sharply to about 8% in 2023, according to data from the EU Commission. The Ukrainian transit route served EU members Austria and Slovakia, which long got the bulk of their natural gas from Russia but have recently scrambled to diversify supplies.

Ronald Reagan’s wish came true this week. The last gas pipeline to Europe from Russia shut down. The 40th president’s political heir, Donald Trump, stands to reap the benefit.

Three years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine has cut off Russian natural gas supplies to Europe, not only blocking a major customer of Russia's gas but eliminating a point of leverage Russia could use against Europe in discouraging assistance to Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism in an interview published Sunday that "strong" incoming US president Donald Trump will be able to force Russia into peace talks and end the war in Ukraine.

The Russia-Ukraine war has been escalating for nearly three years, with no sign of a ceasefire on the horizon. Moscow continues to intensify its efforts to obliterate war-torn Ukraine, leaving the world deeply concerned.