— It's not the only thing that makes Ukraine and Europe alike. Petro Poroshenko claimed, no kidding, Kiev is trying to create a political group in the EU that could stop Nord Stream-2 construction. It's serious this time. First of all, he threatened, no joke, Germany. He said to Merkel it's no good to go against the USA, let's just listen to this.
Petr Poroshenko, President of Ukraine: "Right now we're creating a group in the EU which can stop Nord Stream. That's why we're actively negotiating with Germany right now: we ask them to join. Please, let's make an international consortium on the management of Ukraine’s gas transportation system. But the condition for the participating is stopping Nord Stream-2. We mean, our US partners are determined as well, no one is going against US sanctions. I'm not going to reveal all the instruments we use to stop Nord Stream-2 construction but I want to stress it out once more: it's crucial for us. I hope, we will stop the construction".
— One moment, please. Indeed, we should ask Germany about the gas transportation system, since it's the most concerned state and it's going to get a huge pipeline for free. Alexander Glebovich Rahr from Berlin is online.
Alexander, I know nothing more profitable than Poroshenko's offer. He says: "Take our gas transportation system," sure thing as a consortium, "use it but don't build Nord Stream!" It'd be a shame not to agree.
— Alexander is thinking.
Alexander Rahr, political scientist (Germany): "Thanks for the offer but we have refused it in Germany. All joking aside, the whole idea was elaborated long ago by Mr. Schröder, Mr. Kuchma, and Putin in 2002. But the Ukrainian side, in fact, didn't implement this trilateral consortium. It's still unclear whether Ukraine wants, owning the pipe, to turn down the money they get for the transit, to transfer it into private hands, like in Poland and other countries. They didn't want it till now. That's why Germany is skeptical about the whole issue they're talking about. Basically, Germany has given the green light to Nord Stream. Negotiating at the last minute which can be dragged on for months and years... This is out of the question. That's why the new consortium Poroshenko offered made of countries that are against Nord Stream may be interesting to Poland, I think. Poland speaks out against Nord Stream in Brussels. But other countries have agreed. That's why I think it's the news of the day but no one will speak about it tomorrow".
