Alexey Gromov, Principal Director on Energy studies of the Institute for Energy and Finance, commented to the business newspaper Vzglyad on the possible options for extending the Russian gas transit through the territory of Ukraine.
"Ukraine declares that it will not enter into negotiations with Russia. It is clear that there will be no agreements on gas transit. On the other hand, the creation of a consortium means that Ukraine wants to negotiate not with different European countries, but with a consortium of European countries so that there is a single customer from the European Union. Or Ukraine wants the Europeans to act as a guarantor of gas transit and negotiate with Russia themselves. That is, Ukraine proposes that gas transportation capacities at auctions should be booked not by Gazprom, but by gas buyers – European companies themselves," Alexey Gromov explains.
"Now Russia does not care how Europe will buy Russian gas after 2024. If Europe is ready to take on additional risks associated with Ukrainian transit, Gazprom will supply gas to the border with Ukraine. But I doubt that the Europeans will accept such conditions, as this creates risks of gas delivery. Now Russia and Ukraine are interested in ensuring the safety of the gas transportation system even in conditions of conducting full-scale military operations. But when Russia ceases to be responsible for the delivery of gas through Ukrainian territory, then all responsibility will pass to Europeans and Ukrainians," the expert notes.
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