Ukraine, Kiev, Jan. 13/ Trend , Z. Novsvitski/
"Gazprom faces bankruptcy after ceasing energy supplies via Ukraine in its bid to monopolize the European gas market," the Ukrainian Presidential Administration's press service quoted the president's representative on energy security, Bogdan Sokolovskiy, as saying.
"Gazprom feels helpless as it lacks a mechanism to secure its gas balance for 2009," he said.
"On the other hand, Gazprom was unreasonable in ceasing energy supplies to Ukraine and European consumers, as Russia must spend huge amounts to implement its own domestic energy programs," added.
"The aim is to establish a strong international monopoly," Sokolovskiy said. "The first arm of the octopus is already reaching out for Europe." He said Gazprom owns a share of the pipeline systems in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, and is looking to expand.
"It is obvious that the Russian monopolist is interested in Ukraine's gas transport network, too," he said.
Sokolovskiy added that Russia's rhetoric in recent weeks demonstrates how Kiev and Moscow interpret the question of energy cooperation differently.
"The talks were suspended Dec. 31 due to principal differences in their views of the gas transport system," he said. "Russia's previous position on prices, transit rates and obligations changed."
"Russian attempts to control Ukraine's gas transport system have failed in past years," he said. "First it attempted to seize the pipelines under the trilateral consortium. Now Russia wants to use the EU to pressure Ukraine. It seems Russia wants to slowly take over Ukraine's pipelines."
"Russia seeks to discredit Ukraine's gas transport system and undermine the country's image in Europe," he added.
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