MOSCOW – The prospects of gas transit through Ukraine after 2024 (when the current contract expires) depend on European buyers – in light of the technical condition and environmental characteristics of the Ukrainian route, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Merkel “has always adhered to this position on the continuation of gas transit through Ukraine after 2024,” Putin said.
“I assured that we will fully fulfill all obligations under the transit agreement even after Merkel leaves office as chancellor,” Putin said in response to the relevant question from a German journalist.
The president noted that Nord Stream 2 is not a political process, this is a “delusion.”
“It is 2,000 kilometers shorter than the Ukrainian transit route, and this more environmentally friendly project reduces emissions fivefold. And it is much cheaper than via Ukraine. But we are ready to transit gas through Ukraine after 2024, but we must understand for how long and to what extent, and to do this our European partners must give us an idea of how much they are ready to buy. And in light of the green agenda, which is being implemented in Europe, whether they will buy gas from us and how much. In any case, this is a commercial issue, given the technical conditions,” Putin said.
The prospects of Ukrainian transit are also linked with the growth of gas consumption in southern Europe, Putin said further.
“The volume of consumption is growing and, I hope, it will continue to do so. European and German consumers have no more reliable source than Russian gas”, he said.
