Ukraine clings to Navalny - last opportunity to blackmail with transit
If the scandal surrounding Moscow’s accusations of allegedly “poisoning” opposition blogger Alexei Navalny ends with the suspension of construction of the Nord Stream 2 project, it will be “great stupidity.”
Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy Pavel Zavalny stated this at a press conference, PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
"I'm confident this project will be completed and implemented because it's necessary. Europe needs it to achieve its environmental and economic goals, because without Russian gas, Europe won't be able to meet the goals of the Paris Agreements ( on climate – ed. ), and we all signed them; we're also participants in the process," Zavalny said.
“The incident surrounding Navalny’s poisoning gave rise to a discussion in Germany around the possible stop of the implementation of Nord Stream 2. At least two members of the German government have linked the future of the project to the investigation into Navalny’s case in Russia, while the government generally supports construction. Are there any concerns in the State Duma that Germany may change its position on the project?” – the conference moderator voiced the journalists’ question.
“If this happens, it will be very stupid. In my understanding, this is some kind of big provocation, and law enforcement agencies should deal with this. Still, this provocation must be separated from issues of European economic cooperation; these cannot be mixed. I understand that it is impossible to live without emotions here, but it is still necessary for common sense to prevail in this matter. Look for who benefits from this,” answered the energy engineer.
“In addition to the United States, the Baltic states, Poland and Ukraine are actively opposed to SP-2. These states continue to politicize this economic project. For example, the MEP from Estonia believes that Germany made a mistake by allowing the construction of SP-2 to begin. The project, in his opinion, will increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas. Does the State Duma consider the position of the countries opposing the project to be a real obstacle to the implementation of SP-2?” – the journalist asked.
“Of course they do, they influence public opinion. Specifically, they are trying to achieve their commercial goals. Any alternative in gas transportation removes the possibility of speculation on gas transit through Ukraine, through Poland, for example. That is, they receive losses of positions upon expiration of contracts both in the price of gas and in the cost of transit. The more transit options there are, the less benefit they receive. They are simply stupidly, excuse me, fighting for their economic benefit so that transit through Ukraine and Poland remains, and so that they can blackmail Russia and Europe with this transit. It turns out that any gas pipeline passing these countries deprives them of the possibility of blackmail,” explained Pavel Zavalny.
Ukraine has clung to Navalny – its last chance to blackmail with transit