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The Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 will start working no earlier than March next year. At the same time, Ukraine has come up with a proposal for additional transit of blue fuel to Europe, which Germany is already studying, UA reports.
Since Russia has gas that it can pump through Nord Stream 2, it means it has gas that it can pump through Ukraine. This statement was made by the senior adviser to the US State Department on energy security Amos Hochstein. According to him, Russia should continue to use the services of the Ukrainian gas transmission system (GTS), because even if Nord Stream 2 is operational, it will not happen until next March.
“The approval process of the project, envisaged by the regulator – the German government, will take at least 4 months. And it will begin no earlier than January. Then the European Commission will form its opinion for two months, taking into account the consideration of the issue of the pipeline’s compliance with the Third Energy Package. Nord Stream 2 will clearly not be on the table” – Hochstein said.
Read also: Ukraine offered Russia a 50% discount on gas transit
Ukraine, on the other hand, offered to transport additional volumes of Russian gas to Europe through its gas transportation system. Germany became interested in the offer.
“We received this proposal from the Ukrainian side and passed it on to our Ministry of Economy and Energy. We will intensively discuss this and try to preserve transit through Ukraine” – said German Ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen.
However, Russia is unlikely to agree to Ukrainian terms, economists say. First of all, because of the desire to put pressure on Europe for the speedy launch of Nord Stream 2.
“For Europeans, the gas market is the same market as for oil products, the bread market, chemical fertilizers market. For Russians, the gas market is politics. This is a great way to put pressure on Europe today. They need to push through Nord Stream 2. If they agree on the Ukrainian requirements – no one certifies Nord Stream-2” – said economist Oleh Pendzyn.
Earlier, the operator of the gas transmission system and the Naftogaz of Ukraine submitted applications to the German regulator to participate in the certification process for Nord Stream 2. According to the representatives of the companies, by their actions they want to oppose the implementation of the Russian project.
Read also: The expert listed ways to protect Europe from Russian gas blackmail
