Separately, Naftogaz reports Russian negotiators have told Ukraine and the EU that Russia will not give Ukraine gas transit guarantees
Separately, Naftogaz reports Russian negotiators have told Ukraine and the EU that Russia will not give Ukraine gas transit guarantees after Gazprom’s 10-year gas supply contract ends at the end of 2019. It is unclear if this is a real position or an opening gambit in Wednesday’s Russia-Ukraine-EU gas talks in Brussels. Last May, when US and EU opposition to Nord Stream 2 was mounting, German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. At a joint press conference, Merkel declared: “After Nord Stream 2 is finished, the role of Ukraine as a transit state will have to remain because it is a strategic point for us.” Putin said: “Once we launch Nord Stream 2, we will continue to pump gas through Ukraine if it is economically feasible.”