Ukraine meets with US officials to discuss LNG shipments
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal and representatives of Naftogaz of Ukraine have attended a number of official meetings in the US to discuss the purchase of American liquefied natural gas (LNG), how to oppose the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, and concessions for the Ukrainian gas transport system, Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolyev announced in a post on Facebook.
“At meetings with the US Department of State and Department of Energy, we spoke, among other things, about how to ensure that Ukraine has a reliable way to buy LNG at a competitive price,” he wrote.
“In a situation where we have to prepare for potential provocation by Russia and stockpile additional gas reserves at the start of winter, such assistance is extremely welcome,” Kobolyev added.
The head of Naftogaz clarified that the risk of Russian cutting off its gas transit through Ukraine was also discussed during meetings with members of the US Presidential Administration, Congress, and international financial organizations that support Ukraine.
According to Kobolyev, the Ukrainian delegation witnessed an interest in the reformation of the Ukrainian gas market and the creation of an independent Ukrainian gas transport system.
“When speaking to American senators who are co-authors of several sanction bills, we focused on the matter of opposing the Nord Stream 2 project,” Kobolyev added.
According to the Mirror Weekly, Russian diesel fuel (42% of the market in 2018) and LNG (30%) are strategically important for Ukraine. From 1 June, they will be exported with the permission of the Ministry of Economy. However, at present these shipments are subject to an extremely complicated system of coordination with the Federal Service for Technical and Export Control, which reports to the Russian Defense Ministry.