Peskov: Putin promises Merkel to keep transit via Ukraine

MOSCOW, Aug 21 (PRIME) -- President Vladimir Putin has told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Russia will retain gas transit via Ukraine in the future, president’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.

“Putin has said that (gas) transit via Ukraine will be retained,” he said.

Peskov added that the leaders of the two states discussed prospects for Europe’s gas consumption, which is to rise to unknown extent.

“(Putin and Merkel) discussed the outlooks for the size of gas consumption on the European continent… (they) underlined that the forecasts are really contradictory with different concepts existing. It is clear that the consumption will rise, but to what extent is a matter for further consideration,” he said.

The president said prior to the meeting with Merkel on August 18 that transit through Ukraine should be economically viable if it is kept.

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