"Russian-European gas cooperation is 40 years old. The experience of mutually beneficial and fruitful, transparent and efficient cooperation with a long-term outlook has accumulated. The Russian side has flawlessly carried out its obligations before European partners. There is no need to assure the European gas community of this, as this was confirmed by real joint actions," Yazev said in an appeal to the European Union of the Natural Gas Industry (Eurogas) obtained by Interfax on Sunday.

"In recent years, the so-called Ukrainian transit factor has been hindering the development of our cooperation more and more frequently. Current Ukrainian authorities try to gain unilateral economic benefits and win points in accomplishing their political tasks through political economic relations and direct 'gas blackmailing,'" the appeal reads.

"This irresponsible policy results in Ukraine's constant debts for delivered Russia's gas which amount today to over $600 million. The violation of international legal norms, the European Energy Charter, which Ukraine signed and ratified, have become an every day practice of Ukraine's authorities and Naftogaz Ukrainy," it reads.

"This is exacerbated by the fact that Ukraine directly steals gas from export volumes for European consumers, as well as denying access to gas measuring stations to international independent observers. As of January 2, 2009, gas deliveries to Poland and Hungary fell by on fourth and to Romania by 30% - 40% as a result of direct thefts," Yazev said.

"I call on the Eurogas President Domenico Dispenza and Eurogas colleagues to work out a single opinion of the Europe gas community on the essence of the problem with the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine's territory and to make it known to members of the European Parliament, European Commission and the Energy Charter Secretariat, as well as the parliaments and the leaders of European countries and public," Yazev said.

"One should explain how this policy of 'transit piracy' influences people's welfare, their everyday life, incomes and jobs and the European economic in general," the statement reads.

"One should think about severing requirements to energy transit through other countries, increasing their economic and political responsibility, in order to teach one no to play political games with energy," it reads.

"One should hold the Ukrainian side to responsibility. European countries should figure out how to implement the Energy Charter and to lodge claims in line with the international law against Ukraine seeking that damage inflicted by the fact that gas being shipped to them is taken on the Ukrainian territory is paid," Yazev said.

Russia "takes every possible measure to fulfill its obligations to deliver gas to Europe by increasing the export through Belarus. Apparently, in such conditions the swiftest possible putting into service the Nord and the South Stream gas pipelines is a top priority," he said.

"Russia and its gas community still open, long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation for the benefit of Russian and European peoples," the appeal reads.