Alexey Polishchuk: Russia is ready to negotiate the extension of gas transit through Ukraine
Photo: Aleksander Polyakov / Global Look Press
Moscow is ready to negotiate the extension of gas transit through Ukraine, when there is an understanding of who, in what volumes and on what conditions will buy it. This was announced to RIA Novosti by the director of the second department of the CIS countries of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexei Polishchuk.
He noted that the issues of Russian gas supplies to the countries of Western and Central Europe and its transit through the territory of Ukraine are exclusively commercial in nature. “For obvious reasons, negotiations on the extension of transit can be conducted only when there is a clear understanding of which of the partners will be ready to buy Russian gas, in what volumes and on what terms. The topic of transportation is secondary in this case, ”Polishchuk said.
The diplomat recalled that the current gas transit contract is valid for another three years – until December 31, 2024, but Kiev is already raising the issue of its extension, which “can only pursue political goals,” he said.
Earlier, the head of the “Operator of the gas transmission system of Ukraine” Serhiy Makogon admitted that Russia could stop the transit of gas through Ukraine this winter. According to him, the cessation of supplies of Russian thermal coal to Ukraine, the pulling together of troops on the border of the two countries and the blocking of coal supplies from Kazakhstan can be considered signals indicating Moscow's intentions.
The company headed by Makogon was formed at the end of 2019 after signing a five-year contract with Gazprom for the transit of gas from Russia. Under its terms, Naftogaz Ukrainy acts as an intermediary between Gazprom and the Ukrainian GTS Operator.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly spoken about Moscow's interest in preserving Ukrainian transit and a possible increase in its volume after 2024.
