Olga Bielkova, Director of Government and International Affairs for the Gas Transmission Operator of the Ukraine (GTSOU) has warned European countries of becoming ever more dependent on Russian energy resources.  She advocates turning the tables on Russia by giving preference to the Ukrainian gas transport infrastructure:

“Energy and geopolitical security of the region are inseparable. Russia has already demonstrated that its most powerful weapon is energy resources, particularly natural gas. A number of the most dependent on Russian gas countries need time to replace this resource. But already, it is possible to get rid of dependence on Russian gas pipelines and make russia dependent on Ukrainian gas transport infrastructure. It will allow Ukraine to preserve its integrity for Ukrainian and European consumers. Besides, GTS is an important component of the energy security of CEE countries,” says Olga Bielkova.

Members of the Ukrainian delegation Ms. Bielkova was traveling to Brussels with reported on the capacity of the Ukrainian gas transport infrastructure. They emphasized that Ukraine can improve European energy security despite the war, but for now, it is necessary to work on preserving the GTS.

“Ukrainian GTS provides a vitally important resource for twelve million Ukrainian consumers. Protecting the system from shelling is our priority task because it provides heating and gas to millions of Ukrainians’ homes. Besides, Ukraine, despite the war, as a reliable partner of the EU, still transports more than a quarter of all Russian gas imported to the EU. But Ukraine needs additional measures to support its gas sector, which can bring mutual benefits to Ukraine and Europe,” said Yegor Chernev, Chairman of the Permanent Delegation of Ukraine to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.