Kyiv: Ukraine offered the EU an alternative to Nord Stream-2
Kostiantyn Yelisieiev, the Deputy Head of Presidential Administration of Ukraine stated that Ukraine offers to create an international consortium based on the Ukrainian gas transmission network as an alternative to the Nord Stream-2 pipeline project, reported Ukraine’s Channel 5 TV.
“With regard to energy, we clearly expressed our position on the inadmissibility of the Nord Stream-2. They have reacted with understanding to our reasoning and we will continue our dialogue because this project should not be carried out without our consent. Moreover, we don’t simply criticize and block this politically motivated project. We also offer options. We offered the possibility of creating an international consortium based on our gas transmission network,” Yelisieiev said.
The Deputy Head confirmed that the European party supported the initiative of President Petro Poroshenko to hold a major international conference at the beginning of next year on the prospects of the Ukrainian gas transmission network to enhance the security of Europe and Ukraine.
“The EU listens to our initiatives. It is very important that the EU welcomed our steps towards energy security and energy reforms. We will continue to move along this path,” he stressed.
The Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline construction project has a projected capacity of 55 billion cubic meters running from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. It is assumed that the route along the seabed, as well as the entry point into the German gas transmission network in Greifswald will be similar to the first Nord Stream launched in 2011.
Earlier, Witold Waszczykowski, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland said that Russia would use Nord Stream-2 as a political weapon.