The security threats from the launch of Nord Stream 2 cannot be compensated for - Naftogaz
The launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will create critical security threats for Ukraine, compensators for which simply do not exist, - said Yuriy Vitrenko, Chairman of the Board of the National Joint Stock Company Naftogaz of Ukraine, in an interview with Voice of America in Washington. >
“How can a country be compensated for critical security threats? Ukraine is the target of Russian military aggression. If there is no physical transit of gas through Ukraine, the risk of full-scale military aggression from Russia will significantly increase. Russia expects that if the hostilities do not affect European consumers, Europe will limit itself to expressing deep concern about the events in Ukraine, ”he said.
Yuriy Vitrenko expressed doubts about the reliability of the discussed guarantees on the introduction of "gas sanctions" by Germany in the event of a full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“To be honest, it’s hard to believe that, for example, if a full-scale war breaks out in Ukraine and everyone understands that the Kremlin is doing this, then Germany will be able to impose effective sanctions on gas exports to Germany, because this will mean that the German the consumer will be left without heat and gas in winter. We must be realistic, understand these risks ahead and not allow it to be too late - and everyone will shrug their shoulders and express deep concern, as was the case with the occupation of Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, ”he said.
The chairman of the board of Naftogaz also criticized the thesis about the possible provision of gas transit to the Russian Federation by Germany through Ukraine.
“I don’t understand how Germany can guarantee the transit of gas through the territory of Ukraine, if it does not produce it, does not supply gas from the territory of Russia. Theoretically, Russia could guarantee this, but the question arises - what is the price of these guarantees, because Ukraine already had the Budapest Memorandum, which it counted on as a security guarantee. Budapest Memorandum No. 2 is not attractive for us, ”he said.
Therefore, according to Yuri Vitrenko, the discussion on Nord Stream 2 cannot be built around the issue of compensation.
“Nord Stream 2 is a threat to the security of Ukraine and the entire region. This is not a question of compensation, these are issues of regional security, and therefore we hope that the principle of "no agreements on Ukraine without Ukraine" will be observed. Also, Nord Stream 2 is the Kremlin's geopolitical weapon, so we do not quite understand how other countries, especially the countries - leaders of the Western world, can agree on the Kremlin's project, ”he said.
Yuriy Vitrenko stressed that now there are still enough mechanisms by which Nord Stream 2 can be stopped. In particular, we are talking about a justified refusal by the German regulator to certify the gas pipeline, as well as the restoration of US sanctions against Nord Stream AG. Recent meetings with American politicians show that representatives of both the Democratic and Republican parties understand that Nord Stream 2 is a geopolitical project that must be stopped.
“We believe that if from all sides there is an understanding that this is a geopolitical project, this is a weapon and a threat to the security of Ukraine and the entire region, then this project will never be implemented, the gas pipeline will not work. There must be a set of measures and American sanctions are a very important element, "summed up the chairman of the board of Naftogaz.