Ukraine should create stocks of gas supplies from various sources in order to reduce its energy dependence on Russia, German Ambassador to Ukraine Hans-Jurgen Heimsoeth has said.
“I must say that all Ukrainian governments have done little to reduce gas dependence on Russia. All hoped that the practice of low ‘friendly’ prices would continue. And now that the prices have not only reached world prices, but also slightly exceeded them, you are starting to shout about it. So I think that it is a strategic task for you to create stocks of gas supplies from various sources,” he said in an interview with Kommersant-Ukraine, which was published on July 10.
When asked to comment on whether the idea of importing natural gas from Germany to Ukraine is realistic, the ambassador said: “Obviously, this is part of the policy aimed at showing Russia that you are dependent not only on them and trying to at least slightly reduce your disastrous dependence on Russia.”
He noted that Germany also imports a lot of gas from Russia, but this dependence is not as significant as in Ukraine, because gas also comes from Norway and other sources.
Heimsoeth expressed regret that Ukraine had not shown activity in the process of upgrading its gas transport system.
“You remember that the possible creation of a consortium has been discussed since 2002. At that time, the reason for the failure [to create a joint venture] was the fact that Ukraine and Russia reached some agreements and then they decided to give a few crumbs to E.ON or other European companies to lure them into their boat. That was a mistake,” the diplomat said.
In his opinion, there could be prospects in this process only if the negotiations are held transparently and with the involvement of all parties.
“You should also take into account the fact that privates firms, rather than states, deal with gas in the EU, and they are ‘behind the wheel of the car.’ But I think that the European countries and the European Commission will be ready to support this process,” he said.
He also noted that there were currently no concrete proposals from Ukraine in this area, so the process is not moving.
