Russia Wants EU Out of Ukraine Gas System

Russia will commit to transport at least 60 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas through the Ukrainian transport system if a bilateral gas transport consortium is created with Ukraine, ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov said at a briefing in the Ukrainian capital.

BBC Ukraine Service reported the commitment was made with the condition that the European Union (EU) would not have a role in the consortium.

The proposed consortium would run the Ukrainian gas transportation system, say Black Sea agencies. 

"We are considering as the most promising option a bilateral gas consortium in which Russia will pledge to transport a certain amount of gas," Zurabov was quoted as saying.

As UKRINFORM reports, Russia expressed its objections to Ukraine's proposal to create a trilateral consortium to manage the GTS, with Ukraine as a transit country, Russia as a gas supplier and the EU as a consumer of Russian gas.

Current agreements between Russia and Ukraine outline Ukraine's commitments regarding the purchase of Russian gas and a fixed payment for its transit to Europe. But they do not spell out Russia's commitments regarding the volume of gas pumped through Ukraine's gas transportation system.

Russian says its own pipeline projects bypassing Ukraine, including Nord and South Streams, are the most effective way for western Europe to obtain gas. These would bypass the Ukrainian network and remove its power over gas supply.

See also: Cooperation with EU to protect Ukraine's energy security