Ukraine will purchase gas jointly with EU - European Commissioner

Ukraine will participate in the gas joint purchasing platform of European Union member states.

European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson stated this at a meeting of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) on Thursday, March 9, Ukrinform reports.

“We have integrated Ukraine in the gas joint purchasing platform with a view to help secure 2 billion cubic meters of additional gas. We are working on market reforms, in the context of the accession process. And I continue engaging with the IAEA to insist that the occupation of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is a crime and a danger to all, and every effort should be made to create a secure zone,” she said.

According to Simson, the invasion of Ukraine was preceded by a manipulation by Russia of our gas markets, to destabilize the Union and to create uncertainty.

“Gas supplies have been used as leverage to blackmail and divide Member States, to weaken the resolve to oppose an unjust and illegal war. Such actions made it crystal clear that the Union should put an end to a massive dependency we had on Russia, built over decades. And this is exactly what we have set out to do with the REPowerEU agenda,” the European Commissioner said.

As reported by Ukrinform, last year Deputy Minister of Energy Mykola Kolisnyk said that Ukraine plans to contribute to the implementation of REPowerEU plan, which provides for the creation of an affordable, safe, stable and sustainable EU energy market and the gradual elimination of dependence on Russian fossil fuels before 2030.

Photo: sustaineurope.com