Putin: Russia Ready to Prolong Gas Deal with Ukraine

Moscow has long been ready for negotiations with Ukrainian partners, the president emphasized. The Russian Federation is ready to sign a transit agreement with Ukraine under European law, said Putin at the sidelines of an energy forum in Moscow on October 2. “As for a transit agreement with Ukraine <...> Ukraine is trying to implement the European energy package. And it succeeds by the end of the year, - I am going to say important information, - we are ready to work under European law and sign a transit agreement with Ukraine in accordance with European law,” - he said. Putin noted that it was "quite likely" that Ukraine won't fulfill its EU obligations by the end of the year, Russia would consider extending the contract for up to a year, Putin added. According to him, Russia has long been ready for negotiations with Ukrainian partners on this issue, but they “could not form the necessary authorities to conduct negotiations of this kind.” Commenting on the construction of Nord Stream 2, Putin noted that this is an economic project, not a political one, but the U.S. has always been against energy cooperation between Russia and Europe. “I want to confirm what my colleagues have just said. Nord Stream 2 is not a political, but a purely economic project. The United States, unfortunately, has always been against our energy cooperation with Europe. And when, back in the 60s, we were implementing together with Germany the famous project “pipes for gas”, the first energy routes from the Soviet Union to Germany were built. Even then, at that time, in the 60s of the last century, the United States tried to disrupt this project,” he said. Denmark is under intense pressure to permit the construction of Nord Stream 2, but the project will be implemented, Putin said. “Denmark is a small country which has come under strong pressure and it is up to it whether or not to assert its independence and show it has sovereignty,” Putin said and added that “if they do not (do so), there are other routes,” he added. “It would cost more and hold us up a bit, but I think the project will be completed (anyway).” TASS