Ukraine can increase gas transit to Europe over Russia-Belarus conflict

BRUSSELS, June 24 (Itar-Tass) -- Ukraine can increase Russian gas
transportation to Europe to make up for a shortfall due to the reduction
of gas transit by Belarus, European Commission for Energy Guenter Ettinger
said.
Ukraine can increase the transit of Russian gas within days and hours
to help the European Union avoid problems, Ettinger said after a meeting
with Ukrainian Fuel and Energy Minister Yuri Boiko on Wednesday.
Boiko said Ukraine was ready to help the European Union make up for
the shortfall in gas supply because of the gas crisis.
"At the same time, we hope that the conflict will be solved soon," the
minister said.
Any repetition of the gas crises that occurred between Ukraine and
Russia several times in the past is now ruled out, Boiko said.
"We have a very clear situation in relations with Gazprom - we pay for
gas on time, and Gazprom diligently pays for transit. All decisions were
taken without any politics involved, and they are beneficial economically
to all participants. In our relations with Russia today there are very
effective mechanisms, which are pretty clear to our European partners,"
Boiko said.
On Wednesday, Belarusian First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko
said that Belarus had paid the 187-million U.S. dollar bill to Gazprom for
the previously supplied gas.
"In a gesture of good will 187 million dollars of borrowed funds were
transferred to Gazprom in settlement of the debt," Semashko said.
But Kupriyanov said there has been no confirmation from Gazprom yet
Belarus has settled its gas debt.