22 July 2021, Thursday, 18:28 169

Germany To Unlikely Guarantee Prolongation Of Natural Gas Transit Agreement Between Ukraine And Russia Till 2034 – Vitrenko

Редактор: Tetiana Herasimova

The Federal Republic of Germany will unlikely guarantee the prolongation of the natural gas transit agreement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation until 2034.

Board Chairperson of the Naftogaz of Ukraine national joint-stock company Yurii Vitrenko said this in an interview for the Voice of America, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

“I don’t understand how Germany can guarantee gas transit through the territory of Ukraine if it doesn’t produce it, doesn’t supply gas from the territory of Russia. Theoretically, Russia could guarantee this, but the question arises - what is the price of these guarantees because Ukraine already had Budapest memorandum, which our country counted on as a guarantee of security. Budapest memorandum 2 is not what can attract us," Vitrenko said.

He stressed that in the absence of transit of Russian gas through the territory of Ukraine, there is a risk of full-scale military aggression from Russia.

"Russia expects that if the hostilities do not affect European consumers, then Europe will confine itself to expressing deep concern over the events in Ukraine," Vitrenko said.

He is also convinced that in order to resist Nord Stream 2, sanctions should be imposed on the Swiss company Nord Stream AG, which is actually a Russian company.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, the Federal Republic of Germany has promised to use all levers to ensure the prolongation by up to 10 years of the natural gas transit agreement between Ukraine and Russia.

It was emphasized that the United States and Germany are united in their desire to hold Russia accountable for its aggression and malicious actions by imposing costs through sanctions and other instruments.

It is noted that Germany will abide by the "letter and spirit" of the Third Energy Package in relation to Nord Stream 2 to ensure separation and access by third parties.

Through the US-German climate and energy partnership, they decided to create a pillar to support the energy transition in emerging economies.

This component will include support for Ukraine and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

In line with these efforts, Germany is committed to establishing and managing a Green Fund for Ukraine to support Ukraine's energy transition, energy efficiency, and energy security.

The United States plans to support the initiative through technical assistance and political support in line with the fund's objectives, in addition to programs to support market integration, regulatory reforms, and the development of renewable energy in Ukraine's energy sector.

It will also include technical assistance for Ukraine's integration into the European power grid, building on the ongoing work and coordinated by the European Union and the US Agency for International Development.

In addition, Germany will facilitate Ukraine's inclusion in the German Cyber Capacity Building Fund, support efforts to reform Ukraine's energy sector, and help identify options for modernizing Ukraine's gas transport systems.

Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin have discussed the possibility of extending the agreement between Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom and the Naftogaz of Ukraine national joint-stock company on gas transit after 2024.