Yanukovych urges Russia, EU to guarantee gas transit through Ukraine

KIEV. December 26. KAZINFORM Russia and the European Union should guarantee sufficient gas transit through Ukrainian territory in view of their plans to build two pipelines to bypass the ex-Soviet country, Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych has said; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
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The South Stream natural gas pipeline to the Balkans and the Russian-German Nord Stream pipeline are intended to cut Russia's dependence on transit nations, including Ukraine, which transits 80% of Russian gas to Europe.

Viktor Yanukovych, who is the leader of the opposition Party of Regions and a candidate in the upcoming presidential elections due on January 17, said on air of the Ukraina television channel late on Friday that Russia is likely to cut dramatically its gas transit through Ukraine after the pipelines are built.

"The gas transit system will be needless or will be needed to transit a minimum volume [of gas]," he said, adding "we should immediately start negotiations with Russia and the EU on the guarantees of long term gas transit."

He said Ukraine should demonstrate Russia and the EU that it is a reliable partner; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.

See www.en.rian.ru for full version

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