Gazprom may keep minimal gas transit through Ukraine after 2019

MOSCOW, Dec 8 (PRIME) -- Russian gas giant Gazprom has no plans to halt gas transit through Ukraine after 2019 but will maintain pumping through the country at a minimum, Deputy Head of Gazprom’s managing board Valery Golubev said at a news conference on Monday.

“What does it mean, bypassing Ukraine? We have calculated the minimal volume necessary to pump through Ukraine… There are countries, gas supplies to which can be made only through Ukraine for geographical reasons. If we fully halt gas transit through Ukraine, Ukraine’s gas transporting system will not work,” he said.

“We do not have such a goal to ruin the energy sector and economy of Ukraine. We are trying to build normal, good neighbor relations.”

The volume of Gazprom’s Ukrainian gas transit after 2019 will depend on consumers, he said.

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