"The German-Austrian tandem is the most important to the success of this project. Last year the European Commission reacted negatively on the Gazprom project. But now its position is "flexible". It seems that the European Commission is preparing "to wash its hands". It will neither support, nor oppose the "flow". That is enough for Gazprom. Indirectly, Gazprom forms a decision of the entire EU. This means the collapse of the idea of the EU Energy Union. But in addition to the positions of Germany and Austria, there is still the position of ten EU Member States, which heads of Governments appealed to the European Commission last year to reject this project. But the European Commission reacted quite blurry," the expert says.
If we do not transport Russian gas, we will lose billions in profits. "On the one hand, the EU helps us. Ukraine receives money from various funds for educational, medical, energy programs. But their total scope is several hundred million euros per year. On the other hand, we can lose 2 billion dollars a year. Nonsense. We will survive without this money, Apocalypse will not happen. But what does such partnership mean? ", Gonchar asks.
As for Naftogaz, the expert pointed out that due to the war the reform of Naftogaz had moved much further than it could have been imagined a few years ago.
Law of Ukraine "On the natural gas market" was approved yet in 2010. But it was not implemented. Therefore, the new Law was adopted last year. It is in effect now. It was also minimized the corruptogenic imports of Russian gas," the expert says.
The Europeans accuse us that reforms have been moving slowly. It is not possible for only 2 years to reform such behemoth as Naftogaz is," he says.
"We have an integrated gas transportation system. It is irrational to break its integrity. It guarantees our security. The Europeans say: "Let's fragment it, and it will be easier to deal with each part separately". This approach is dangerous. It will reduce our capabilities and increase the risks inside the country. Ukrainians will have to pay more for everything," he concluded.
