Viktor Chernomyrdin Opposes Export of Russian Gas From Ukraine

Russia “will never agree” to Ukraine’s re-export of Russian natural gas to third countries or the export of its own gas in conditions of its scanty extraction, Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Viktor Chernomyrdin said on September 10, commenting to Interfax-Ukraine on the Ukrainian government’s intent to include the possibility of exporting Ukrainian gas in the provisions of the agreement on rescheduling the Russian gas debt. Ukrainian Premier Anatoly Kinakh spoke about such intentions during his official visit in Poland. Mr. Chernomyrdin stressed that the price of Russian gas supplied to Ukraine is “considerably lower” than that which Moscow has set for the countries to the west of Ukraine. If Kyiv bought Russian gas at world prices, it could export it then, he stated. Mr. Chernomyrdin also stressed that one of the conditions for Russia’s transit of Turkmenistan gas intended for Ukraine was that Kyiv would not re-export it.