Kiev must ensure safe passage for Russian gas to EU- Gazprom
September 16, 2014, 4:34 pm

File photo of gas treatment unit at Kovyktinskoye field in eastern Russia [Image: Gazprom]

“Special attention was paid to Russian gas deliveries to European consumers via Ukraine during the forthcoming winter season. Participants of the meeting stressed that the reliability of these supplies can be ensured only on the condition that Naftogaz of Ukraine strictly observes its transit contract. The board of directors was also advised to take measures to minimize the risks of disruption of supplies to European consumers during the 2014-2015 winter season,” said a Gazprom statement after the meet of its directors in Moscow.

Russia’s Gazprom controls nearly one-fifth of the world’s gas reserves and supplies more than half of the gas Ukraine uses each year.

The pipeline to Ukraine also carries gas meant for Europe. More than a quarter of the EU’s total gas needs were met by Russian gas, and some 80 per cent of it came via Ukrainian pipelines.

Gazprom has already notified the European Commission of “a possible disruption in the gas transit” in case Ukraine decides to siphon off the gas, the company said.

Earlier in June, Russia had cut gas supplies to Ukraine as a payment deadline passed and negotiators failed to reach a deal on gas prices and unpaid bills amid continued fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Following the failure of the gas talks with Ukraine, Gazprom had earlier switched to prepayment mode in trade with Ukraine and filed a lawsuit in Stockholm, seeking to collect a debt of $4.5 billion.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso on Monday stressed the importance of continuing the dialogue on ensuring uninterrupted deliveries of Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine

“The importance of continuing the dialogue on ensuring uninterrupted deliveries of Russian gas to Europe through the territory of Ukraine has been stressed,” said a Kremlin statement.

 TBP and Agencies