Former President Poroshenko: New gas contract between Russia and Ukraine crosses 'red line'

Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Photo: Life.RU

Sharing information on Ukrainian television, former President Petro Poroshenko said that the "Solidarity with Europe" faction in the Ukrainian parliament will demand the imposition of sanctions on direct gas supplies from Russia, and convene a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council.

Mr. Poroshenko added that politicians believe that the new contract on gas transit between Russia and Ukraine is not a commercial contract, but a political contract.

"Power has gone beyond the 'red line', which was predicted by many before the Normandy Summit," said former Ukrainian President Poroshenko.

Previously, Moscow and Kiev agreed to sign a new five-year gas transit contract. Under this agreement, at least 65 billion m³Gas will be transited through Ukraine in 2020 and 40 billion m³/year in the period 2021 - 2024. Accordingly, the parties will also eliminate old requirements and follow the new process.

Workers inspect gas pipelines. Photo: Ria Novosti

According to Mr. Aleksei Orzhel - Minister of Energy of Ukraine, the agreements in the new contract package do not include provisions on direct gas supply to Kiev, but open up new opportunities in this regard.

Since last year, Gazprom and Naftogaz have been trying to reach an agreement on the transit of Russian gas to Europe. However, they have been hampered by an unresolved legal dispute between the two parties over gas transit fees at the Stockholm International Court of Justice, as well as the possibility of resuming direct Russian gas supplies to Ukraine.