The European Union expects that the transport of natural gas from Russia to Europe across Ukraine would not be disrupted, Head of the EU Delegation to Russia Vygaudas Usackas said.

"It is important for Ukraine to be punctual and for Ukrainians to fully honor their commitments. We all should honor commitments that we have undertaken: Russia should supply gas, Ukraine ensure its uninterrupted transportation, and Europe pay what is due under the contract," Usackas said in an interview with Interfax.

Ukraine recently passed legislation entitling it to impose a ban on gas transportation across its territory by Gazprom, which implies that the European Union might have to buy Russian gas at Russia's western borders.

Asked whether the EU countries are willing to take on responsibility for transporting Russian gas across Ukraine, Usackas said: "There can be various trade formulas. Our Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger stressed following a conversation with Ukrainian and Russian partners that any proposals on changing the current procedure should be carefully elaborated and discussed. It is important for the gas flow to remain uninterrupted at this time."

Oettinger will discuss the cost of Russian gas itself and its transportation to Europe with Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak on August 29, Usackas said.