REUTERS
Russia's gas giant Gazprom considers the decision of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine to impose a UAH 85 billion fine on the company as an attempt to put pressure on the company and plans to defend its interests, the Russian gas holding said in a statement, according to Russian news agency TASS.
"Today it was reported that the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine decided to fine Gazprom for the sum of UAH 85 billion [about $3.4 billion] for abusing its dominant position on the market of natural gas transit in Ukraine. This is extremely surprising, since Gazprom does not conduct any business in the territory of Ukraine and transfer gas to NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine on the western border of the Russian Federation. The decision of the antimonopoly committee cannot be regarded otherwise but an attempt to put pressure on Gazprom," the statement said, TASS wrote.
Gazprom said it would defend its rights and legitimate interests by all available legal ways.