Russia ready for dialog with Ukraine on leasing gas-transport system - Putin
MOSCOW. Dec 20 (Interfax) - Ukraine committed a strategic error in rejecting Russia and its European partners renting Ukraine's gas-transport system, compelling Russia to opt for building gas pipelines to Europe that bypass Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a press conference.
"I think our Ukrainian partners have in due course made a very great strategic mistake. A fundamental one," he said.
"We offered, along with the Europeans, to lease Ukraine's gas-transport system, without violating Ukrainian law - leaving the system in Ukraine's possession - to lease it and to assume obligations for loading and developing the gas-transport system," Putin said.
"What has happened in recent years, including the well-known scandal in 2009, has prompted Russia to speed up our infrastructure projects," he said.
Russia has built the Nord Stream gas pipeline, is considering increasing the capacity of Blue Stream, and is beginning to build South Stream, which will allow Gazprom to deliver gas to its European partners without having to send it through Ukraine, he said.
"The question is arising as to the justification for the existence of the Ukrainian gas-transport system itself, but we are prepared now for dialog on this score," the president said.
"It is not simple, but this does concern not only relations between the Russian and Ukrainian governments. It concerns businesses most of all. I think, if we will be working as we have been working up to now, and as the closest of partners and real friends, then we will find a compromise decision," Putin said.