The End of Russia’s Gas Dominance?

Since January 1, 2025, Ukraine has officially ceased the transit of Russian gas through its territory. This has significantly weakened Moscow’s position in the European energy market and opened new opportunities for other suppliers.

Against this backdrop, Syria—which, after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, began rebuilding the country and establishing international relations—is being considered as a new strategic gas corridor.

Syria as a New Transit Hub for Gas

In December 2024, the Syrian opposition won the war against the dictatorial regime. One of the new administration’s first tasks was to establish connections with potential allies.

Ukraine was one of the first countries to visit Damascus. In January 2025, an official delegation from Qatar arrived to meet with the new Syrian authorities.

One of the main topics of negotiation was gas cooperation. Qatar sees Syria as an important transit point for transporting its gas to Turkey, and from there to Europe. This creates an alternative to Russian gas, which became especially important after Ukraine’s decision to stop transit.

The former Bashar Assad regime did not consider cooperation with Qatar because Moscow supported it in its fight against the opposition.

Thus, Russia deliberately blocked the possibility of alternative gas sources for Europe. Losing Syria as an ally greatly complicates its energy pressure on the EU.

Russia’s Reaction: Destabilization

Russia expected that, besides ultimatums regarding mineral resources, the newly elected US President Donald Trump would try to persuade Ukraine to sign a new contract on Russian gas transit to Europe.

The argument was that NATO partners “have no other effective alternative to meet their energy needs.” However, the meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump proved otherwise: Ukraine will not sign any documents without proper guarantees for itself. This was a blow to the Kremlin, which realized that even a friendly American president has no influence on Ukrainian policy.

The only option left for Moscow is to destabilize Syria. Russia is trying to disrupt plans to create a gas corridor through Syria and Turkey, as this would finally undermine its energy monopoly in Europe.

For this, it uses its influence in the country, supporting remnants of pro-Assad groups, including Alawite officers sheltered at Russian bases in Tartus and Latakia. Moreover, the Kremlin conducts active information warfare aimed at discrediting the new Syrian government and its allies.

The Future of the Gas Corridor: Will the Plan Succeed?

Today, Qatar and Turkey are actively working to establish gas transit through Syria. This will not only ensure stable energy supply for Europe but also contribute to the economic recovery of Syria itself.

The new Damascus administration must maintain political stability, defend itself from Russian provocations, and build effective international partnerships.

Ukraine, having definitively severed gas ties with Moscow, supports this process because it further weakens Kremlin’s positions and opens new opportunities for Europe.

The struggle for energy independence continues, and Syria may become one of the key elements in this fight.