"Ukraine has managed to pass this year without Russian gas. And the fact, that there may be occasional purchases of this gas as needed, does not violate the principle of refusal. Then, when a post-war period comes (it really comes some time), and if we imagine that the relations would be normalized to a certain way, then you can consider returning to the regular purchases of gas. Now it is inappropriate," he said for Radio Liberty.

With regard to the promotion of the issue of the construction by Russia of additional bypass pipelines, Mykhailo Gonchar considers that Russian statements against this background are pursuing political objectives in order to promote the gas crisis in Ukraine.

"Lately, we hear a lot of verbal "concerns" from the Russians on how they "worry" about the thermal comfort of Europeans and Ukrainians. They offer their gas. But behind these "concerns" the intentions of the opposite nature are hidden: Russia wants to convince Europe that "Nord Stream" is required. The success in advancing the "TurkStream" just encourages Russia to further use of the current situation. Especially under the circumstances of the harsh winter, Russians would be ready to provoke the gas crisis, to accuse Ukraine in this crisis, and to push Europe at least to be non-resistance in the issue of construction of "Nord Stream-2», Mykhailo Gonchar said for Radio Liberty.

Source: Radio Liberty