Deputy Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine on European Integration: Ukraine is a reliable gas supplier and trustworthy partner for Europe

Deputy Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine on European Integration Natalia Boyko tackled issues pertaining to the reliability of the Ukrainian gas transmission system (GTS) and the supply of gas to the European Union countries in an interview with Channel 5.

The Deputy Minister informed about the existing situation and emphasized the effectiveness of the steps taken by Ukraine to resolve it. As a result of the energy efficiency actions gas consumption has decreased by 14%.

"Gazprom has once again confirmed that they are unpredictable and unreliable", Natalia Boyko commented on the relationship with the Russian gas giant. In this context, she noted that, despite the decision of the Stockholm arbitration, the Russian partners, contrary to the legitimate judicial decision of the Court, which has high authority, refused to fulfill their obligations and reduced the gas pressure by almost 20%, thereby demonstrating to Europe and the world that they in no way can be considered as consistent and reliable partners. At the same time, not only the gas pressure was reduced, but the communication was also severed  by the Russian side.

She also stressed Ukraine mobilized its efforts by convening the crisis committee and adopting 3 unpopular decisions that yielded results.

Commenting on relations with the European Union on this issue, the Deputy Minister emphasized from the first day of the crisis Ukraine had promptly briefed the Energy Community and offered Brussels to hold consultations.

The Deputy Minister informed that Ukraine officially appealed to the European Union with a request to investigate the situation. "We are open to communication and ready to provide all the information", Natalia Boyko assured.

Issues pertaining to the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project and risks of such crises for EU countries in case of dependence on Russia were touched upon in the course of the conversation.

The Deputy Minister placed a special emphasis on preservation of transit potential of Ukraine. "For us, transit is a security," stressed Natalia Boyko, noting the importance of preserving for Ukraine a certain volume of gas transit to European countries. At the same time, she informed the Government is currently holding consultations with many European partners regarding mutually beneficial participation in the management of the GTS of Ukraine.