UPDATE: Kiev says Nord Stream-2 to cease Russian gas transit to EU

(Adds comments in third paragraph)

BRUSSELS, Apr 6 (PRIME) -- The Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline will partially or completely close the transit of Russian gas to the E.U. through Ukraine if built, Naftogaz Ukrainy CEO Andrei Kobolev said at a conference on Wednesday.

“If the Nord Stream-2 is built… the Ukrainian route will have to be closed, fully or partially,” he said.

Vice President for Energy Union of the E.U. Maros Sefcovic said the pipeline project was also posing a threat to the Russian gas transit to the E.U. through Poland.

The Nord Stream-2 project envisages construction of two lines of a gas pipeline with a capacity of up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually, running from the Russian shore to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Russian gas giant Gazprom will hold 50% in the project, while E.ON, BASF, Royal Dutch Shell, and OMV will own 10% each, and Engie will get a 9% stake.

The European Commission is ready to carry trilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine over a new contract for Russian gas transit to the E.U. through Ukraine, according to a statement by Sefcovic. The current contract expires in 2019.

A source close to the E.U. told PRIME that a date of trilateral talks over Russian gas supplies to Ukraine has not been set yet and possible dates are currently being discussed by the sides.

End