Vitrenko: Ukraine initiates dialogue with Germany over Gazprom violations of EU laws

Ukraine has initiated an active dialogue with Germany with regard to Russian energy giant Gazprom’s violation of EU anti-monopoly laws, Naftogaz of Ukraine NJSC CEO Yuriy Vitrenko has announced in a new interview ...

Ukraine has initiated an active dialogue with Germany with regard to Russian energy giant Gazprom’s violation of EU anti-monopoly laws, Naftogaz of Ukraine NJSC CEO Yuriy Vitrenko has announced in a new interview with Interfax-Ukraine News Agency.

“Today, our communication has intensified. My approach is as follows: before we proceed with discussing what you would like to discuss, that is, completion of the Nord Stream 2 construction, I suggest we first discuss what we would like to address, namely Gazprom’s violation of EU anti-monopoly laws,” he commented.

Yuriy Vitrenko pointed out that Gazprom has been blocking other companies’ ability to supply gas to European markets, and also blocking gas transit from Central Asian countries through the Ukrainian GTS to the EU.

The Naftogaz CEO added that, in the negotiation process with the US, the Ukrainian side has also raised the issue of Gazprom’s European anti-monopoly violations.

“As the US is now right in the middle of debates on Nord Stream 2 with Germany, we would like them to be aware of this aspect of the problem. They should know that the expectations we had at the time of signing the current transit contract in 2019 (including expectations that Gazprom would unblock gas transit from Central Asia and gas exports by other companies operating in the Russian Federation) have not yet been met. This is important because the American side will further highlight this in their talks with Germany,” explained Vitrenko.

As Naftogaz CEO also noted, Ukraine has chosen not to wait for September’s German elections and possible changes in the country’s political landscape. Instead, Kyiv seeks to initiate negotiations on energy issues immediately.


Integrated Communications Department
Naftogaz of Ukraine NJSC

 

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