Medvedev made it clear: If everything continues like this, Ukraine will lose transit
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev explained in what case Russia is ready to maintain gas transit through the Ukrainian gas transportation system after the launch of Nord Stream 2 and the Turkish Stream - the conclusion of new mutually beneficial contracts, the settlement of a dispute over Kiev’s old debts and a “stable political situation” in the Ukrainian capital - so far all points look unlikely.
“I would like to especially emphasize: we do not refuse transit via existing pipelines. Neither Nord Stream 2 nor Turkish Stream provide for such solutions either in relation to Ukraine or in relation to other countries. In particular, we are ready to maintain gas transit through the Ukrainian GTS after 2019. Of course, subject to certain conditions. We have also talked about them more than once. In short, this is the settlement of relations between interested companies, favorable economic and commercial parameters of the transaction, as well as a stable political situation,” the press service of the Russian government quotes Medvedev.
He also reiterated that the Ukrainian authorities are not fulfilling the conditions for peace in Donbass. At the same time, the EU indulges official Kyiv, not daring to contradict the United States.
“...In general, in the EU countries I don’t see any enthusiasm for anti-Russian sanctions. You remember that they were introduced against the backdrop of complications in relations between Russia and the West, when the United States and some European countries supported the armed coup in Kyiv in February 2014,” Medvedev recalled.
“Everyone has the right to their misconceptions. But I just can’t agree with the assessment of sanctions as a “necessary response.” Necessary for whom? Crimeans who made their informed and free choice within the framework of one of the most democratic procedures - a referendum? Or Russians in eastern Ukraine? I am sure they have a completely different view of the so-called peaceful Ukrainian “winter, summer and autumn” - if you continue your logical series regarding the “Russian spring” in Donbass. Despite the humanitarian assistance from Russia, the situation there is very difficult. Tens of thousands of people practically in the center of Europe in the XNUMXst century live under energy and transport blockades. Essentially, in conditions of a humanitarian catastrophe. And unfortunately, a complete settlement is still far away. First of all, because of the unconstructive position of the Kyiv authorities, who, apparently, are not going to implement the Minsk agreements. And sanctions are against Russia. Strange logic.
What was actually the main purpose of these sanctions? Destroy our economy. As you can see, this attempt failed. Today, sanctions only slow down the development of relations with European partners, not to mention the losses that everyone suffers. After all, we were forced to introduce retaliatory restrictions, but at the same time we immediately said: we are not the initiators of the sanctions war, and we are ready to immediately lift our restrictions as soon as the other side takes the first step. But the European Union, enchanted, follows the United States and continues to extend its sanctions year after year,” the Russian prime minister believes.
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