Kiev ready to question suspension of its gas transit system
(RIA Novosti, September 17) – Ukraine is ready to discuss suspension of its gas transit system which pumps Russian gas to Europe, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov told reporters on Saturday.
"The GTS is a system of pipes, compressors, and a huge working team which operates the system. This all brings losses, and why should we bear the losses? Maybe we should abandon it? We are not going to bear the loss," Azarov said following a conference on European strategy.
The system's capacity allows pumping 150 bcm of gas a year, but currently it pumps only 80 bcm.
Azarov warned officials of the European Commission about the possible suspension and said that Europe, Ukraine and Russia should jointly decide on the future of the Ukrainian gas transit system.
Moscow launched Nord Stream pipeline that bypasses Ukraine earlier this month and coursed concerns in Kiev.
Nord Steam will link Russia and the European Union via the Baltic Sea.
Russia began the project after a number of disputes over gas prices with Ukraine. Such rows have left parts of Europe without Russian gas supplies on two occasions since 2006.
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