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Naftogaz of Ukraine denies blocking Russia's gas transit
RBC, 13.01.2009, Kiev 16:03:55.Naftogaz of Ukraine has denied reports that it is blocking Russian natural gas transit to Europe, the company's spokesman Valentin Zemlyansky told RBC, adding that Gazprom's announcements of a failure to allow official Russian observers' access to Ukrainian pumping stations were also untrue. "We believe that Gazprom has suspended gas transit at the Sudzha gas measuring facility," Zemlyansky noted. The primary reason for such an action could be "lack of agreement with Naftogaz of Ukraine regarding terms, directions and the amount of gas to be transited." At the same time, Ukrainian president's envoy Bogdan Sokolovsky pointed out that Ukraine was technologically unable to resume gas transit, stressing that Russia's announcement on resuming gas transit to Europe was purely provocative. He insists that Gazprom faces the risk of bankruptcy due to its suspension of gas transit through Ukraine. "It is obvious that Gazprom feels very insecure because it does not see a mechanism for ensuring gas supplies in 2009," Sokolovsky said. Sokolovsky further noted that the recent suspension of gas supplies to European and Ukrainian consumers was "absolutely illogical," as Russia had planned significant expenditures on the implementation of domestic energy programs. He also indicated that "Gazprom's only goal is the creation of a mighty monopoly with tentacles all over the world, primarily in Europe." Furthermore, the official insists that "Russia is trying to bring the Ukrainian gas transporting system under its full control. For this purpose, it is trying to discredit Ukraine's image in the eyes of European consumers."
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