15:44 26.04.2018

Germany believes assurances from Russia that they to keep using Ukrainian GTS after launch of Nord Stream 2 needed

2 min read
Germany believes assurances from Russia that they to keep using Ukrainian GTS after launch of Nord Stream 2 needed

Germany believes that assurances from Russia that they will keep using the Ukrainian gas transport system (GTS) after the completion of construction of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline are needed, German Ambassador to Ukraine Ernst Reichel said in a joint interview with French Ambassador to Ukraine Isabelle Dumont with Interfax-Ukraine.

"As Chancellor Merkel [German Chancellor Angela Merkel] has said, we also need clarity from Russia that they will keep using the Ukrainian gas transit system. The discussion about this is, as you can imagine, just going on… There need to be assurances one can rely on. Which form this would take, we will have to see," he said.

Reichel recalled that Merkel had talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about this.

"So, we will have to see what follows, what reaction we get from Russia," he said.

The German ambassador said that efforts should be made to minimize risks for Ukraine linked to the construction of Nord Stream 2.

"The objection in particular Ukraine has against Nord Stream 2 is the fear that it will make the transit through Ukraine superfluous. If we can avoid this consequence, it makes the future for Ukraine look much better. This is where we are trying to go. The investment of foreign firms into the Ukrainian gas transit system is part of this," he said.

The diplomat also expressed confidence that the United States would not apply sanctions to European companies participating in Nord Stream 2.

"It would, of course, be very unusual among friends and allies, if there were sanctions imposed by the United States against companies which do business outside the United States and which are seated in allied countries, like France or Germany Until proven otherwise, I would not assume that this opportunity that legislation in the United States offers will be taken by the U.S. administration. I remain confident that this will ultimately not happen and we will arrive at a solution that respects the legitimate interests of Ukraine in continued gas transit and therefore maybe also makes the discussion a bit more rational than it has been in the past," he said.

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