US official says Russia must remain key EU gas supplier

MOSCOW, Feb 6 (PRIME) -- The gas conflict between Russia and Ukraine signals the importance of energy supplies diversification to Europe but Russia must remain the key supplier, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy Robin Dunnigan said at a E.U. energy ministers’ meeting on Friday.

Russia must compete with other suppliers, following market rules, she said.

The official said that Ukraine should cooperate more with its other neighboring countries, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland to reduce the demand in direct gas supplies from Russia.

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