This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/russia/532644-putin-ukraine-gas-transit/

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Putin pledges that Russia will comply with obligations on gas transit through Ukraine, says arrangement may continue past 2024 Putin pledges that Russia will comply with obligations on gas transit through Ukraine, says arrangement may continue past 2024
(2 months later)
Moscow will fully comply with its commitments on natural gas transit through Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said, signaling that the transit might continue past the 2024 deadline when the current contract expires.Moscow will fully comply with its commitments on natural gas transit through Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said, signaling that the transit might continue past the 2024 deadline when the current contract expires.
Speaking at a news conference after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Kremlin on Friday, he confirmed the country’s commitment to the existing gas transit deal with Moscow's close neighbour. Speaking at a news conference after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Kremlin on Friday, he confirmed the country’s commitment to the existing gas transit deal with Moscow's close neighbour. 
“The issue was raised during the negotiations, I assured [Merkel] that we will fully comply with all our obligations, we are doing this now and will continue to do so,” Putin said.“The issue was raised during the negotiations, I assured [Merkel] that we will fully comply with all our obligations, we are doing this now and will continue to do so,” Putin said.
Merkel, who is set to depart from office this year, said she urged the president to extend the Ukraine transit deal past the 2024 deadline, when it’s set to expire.Merkel, who is set to depart from office this year, said she urged the president to extend the Ukraine transit deal past the 2024 deadline, when it’s set to expire.
Putin said the issue of transit is “purely commercial,” and the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline beats the old Ukrainian transit system, being 2,000km shorter and compliant with modern ecological standards. Also, operating the new pipeline is expected to be “significantly cheaper” than transiting gas through Ukraine.Putin said the issue of transit is “purely commercial,” and the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline beats the old Ukrainian transit system, being 2,000km shorter and compliant with modern ecological standards. Also, operating the new pipeline is expected to be “significantly cheaper” than transiting gas through Ukraine.
“Still, we are ready to transit gas through Ukrainian territory after 2024,” Putin said, adding that the route will retain some value, particularly for supplying southern Europe.“Still, we are ready to transit gas through Ukrainian territory after 2024,” Putin said, adding that the route will retain some value, particularly for supplying southern Europe.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!Like this story? Share it with a friend!
Dear readers and commenters,
We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.
Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,
RT Team.