Russia does not intend to abandon the implementation of the South Stream gas pipeline project whatever proposals for participation in the Ukrainian gas transportation system may be made to it, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said on Thursday.
"At this point there is no such question on the agenda at all, we have no bargaining. If someone has thought (and hopes) that some better conditions can be offered to persuade us to abandon South Stream, that person got it all wrong. We do not discuss this topic at all," he said.
Prime-Tass quotes Shmatko as saying Ukraine should get used to the conditions of competition and to a market environment.
He also commented on statements about the cost of the South Stream project.
"We are told this project is too costly and that the European customer does not need that gas. I would like to say gas will be sold in Europe at market prices and the European consumers should feel no worries about the cost of laying South Stream. This is a question for shareholders," Shmatko said.