Ukrainian, German foreign ministers discuss gas issue

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas discussed the extension of gas transit from Russia during talks in Berlin on December 20, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
"I am confident that these talks will end successfully. Teams are still continuing to work. Ukraine will ensure the reliable transit of Russian gas to EU territory for all suppliers," Prystaiko told journalists after the talks.

He stressed that the Ukrainian gas transmission system, the largest in Europe, is capable of providing natural gas to European consumers three times more gas than can be pumped through Nord Stream 2.

Prystaiko thanked Berlin for providing the negotiation platform on December 19 and for gas transit guarantees provided by the German side.

At the same time, he noted that there were moments in the gas issue where the positions of Kyiv and Berlin diverge. "But this is normal between partners," he added, noting that the parties have the opportunity to say that Nord Stream is a more political than an economic project.

Maas reiterated that Germany continues to oppose extraterritorial sanctions "and that will not change."

"What we are united in is the importance of continuing transit through Ukraine," he said.

"We welcome this rapprochement and we hope that the negotiations on this issue will lead to a successful conclusion," Maas said, stressing that this should be an agreement based on European law.