Nord Stream 2 has significantly weakened Ukraine’s gas talks, the president said.
On December 9 during Normandy summit in Paris, we may raise the issue of a new contract for the transit of Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine, stated the President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with Der Spiegel, Le Monde, Time and Gazeta Wyborczа, Interfax-Ukraine reports on Monday, December 2.
He noted that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has significantly weakened Ukraine’s positions within negotiations.
“Although our European partners state that this is not a political, but an economic project, I beg to differ. However, if we manage to conclude a new transit agreement for a period of up to 10 years, if the Europeans help us, and Russia does not oppose this, then we can say that Nord Stream 2 is not a political project. So far this statement is without any reason,” Zelensky said.
The President noted that during a telephone conversation with the Russian President Vladimir Putin, the latter one took note of Ukraine’s position on gas transit.
“It is important for me that the problem with gas is a question for discussion. It should in no way be connected with Donbas. Although I do not exclude that gas transit issue will also be considered within Normandy format,” he said.
Negotiations are expected to continue this week.
korrespondent