For decades, the narrative was simple: the West relied on fossil fuels pumped from the Middle East and Russia. This dependence fueled economic growth, but also fostered a dangerous power imbalance. Now, that narrative is fracturing. The Ukraine war has exposed the folly of overreliance, pushing Europe and others to scramble for alternative sources. The expiration of the five-year gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine at the end of 2024 further intensifies this scra