REUTERS
The construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, funded by the government of the Russian Federation, seeks to deprive Ukraine of its transit potential and income from direct transit of gas from Russia to Europe in the amount of about $2 billion per year, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said during his speech in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
"If Russia builds the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, it means that Russia will achieve its goal and deprive Ukraine of income from gas transportation to Europe. The total annual revenue for the transit is about $2 billion. Partners do not act like this. Because Russia, in cooperation with its Western companies, wants to disable the safest, cheapest, most direct gas flow to the EU and deprive Ukraine of $2 billion," Yatsenyuk said.
Read alsoNaftogaz: Nord Stream expansion means more EU dependence on RussiaHe recalled that the construction project was discussed at a meeting of the governmental delegations of Ukraine and Slovakia in Bratislava in early September.
"Slovakia also made the same declaration. Because the North Stream-2 will also deprive the Slovak Republic of $800 million of revenue. So I hope to see a clear position of the European Commission and the EU member states on preventing Russia's plans to deprive Ukraine of transit potential and revenues of billions of dollars," Yatsenyuk said.