Russia doesn't need the
Ukrainian gas transportation system, Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Viktor
Chernomyrdin told journalists Thursday, commenting on the adoption of
the law on banning alienation of the Ukrainian GTS, Cabinet press office reported.
"I can say you that
Russia doesn't need the Ukrainian gas transportation system. The story is about
cooperation and joint administration," the Russian Ambassador said.
On February 6 the Verkhovna
Rada passed the law on prohibition of the sale of the Ukrainian GTS with the
overwhelming majority, the bill was submitted by the Bloc of Yuliya Tymoshenko.
The government estimated
the adoption of the law as another reason to attract attention. In particular,
Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych stated he believes the law was useless.
According to him, passing such laws doesn't add positive to relations with the
Russian Federation in the fuel and energy complex. He reassured that gas
negotiations with Russia are not aimed at "surrendering" national
interests.
On February 1, Russian
President Vladimir Putin sated that Ukraine has a "revolutionary"
proposal for Russia with regard to creating a gas transportation consortium.
Some experts stated that the story is most obviously about conveyance of the
Ukrainian GTS in exchange for Russian extraction markets.
