Ukraine is ready to create gas transport consortium without EU

Ukraine does not exclude the possibility of creating a gas consortium with Russia on bilateral basis, without the participation of the European Union, the secretary of National Security and Defense of Ukraine, Andrey Klyuyev said, RIA Novosti reports. "If the bilateral agreement will provide entirely favourable conditions for Ukraine, anything can happen. Our national interests have the greatest importance. And they are based on the transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine," – said Klyuev.

Ukraine and Russia have been leading negotiations on the reduction gas prices that Kiev considers unfair. Russia in exchange for the revision of prices is seeking access to the management of the Ukrainian gas transportation system. Kiev and Moscow did not exclude the possibility of creating a consortium of management of the Ukrainian GTS, but the format of the consortium has not been yet determined. Ukraine previously insisted on a tripartite model - with the participation of the EU.