Russia, doubling gas price, punishes Ukraine for its European choice - Yatseniuk
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk has called for the diversification of gas supplies to Ukraine, considering that Russia, by doubling the gas price, is punishing Ukraine for its European choice.
He told this to reporters in Brussels on Friday after the signing of the political chapter of the Association Agreement.
"It is urgently necessary for Ukraine to get reverse supplies from Europe, because Russia, doubling the price of gas, violates all agreements signed between Ukraine and Russia. This is how Russia is punishing Ukraine for its European choice," he said.
Yatseniuk said that this way "Russia is getting back what it has lost from Ukraine."
"It's important to understand that it would get back what it has lost from Ukraine anyway. They announced today that they will double the gas price, and in doing so they're primarily hitting eastern Ukraine, and they're doing it to destroy our industry and worsen the lives of Ukrainians," he said.
In this regard, Yatseniuk also said that it was necessary to urgently reconsider the energy policy and energy security of Ukraine. He also said the EU was also creating a common energy policy.
"We have a number of strategies for the short and long term, but again, speaking about energy policy, it is vital for all of us to speak in unison in order to prevent anyone, including Russia, from using energy just like a new nuclear weapon," he said.