Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di MaioROME, 8 Feb Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline launched «objectively weakens the position» of Kiev in the negotiations on gas supplies from Russia, which remains indispensable for supplying Europe with this energy resource, said Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio. On Tuesday, he delivered an informational message at a joint meeting of the foreign affairs commissions of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies , which was dedicated to the aggravation of the situation on the border between Russia and Ukraine.February 1, 15:17 InfographicRussian gas in Europe: leading countries in terms of purchasesInfographicView»Energy dynamics, with an important center in Ukraine, are also reflected in these tensions. The EU and the UK import 40% of their gas from Russia, but Moscow is also heavily dependent on revenues from energy exports, and Europe is its best market. Nord Stream 2 offers Germany an alternative route, but still connected with Russian supplies. The gas pipeline, whose permit procedures are suspended, objectively weakens Kiev's position in terms of an agreement on the supply and transit of Russian gas, which expires in 2024,” Di Maio said. “Moscow, with Nord Stream 2, can keep supplies to Europe, while reducing transit to Ukraine, which receives a significant income for the economy from transit. Hence her fears, shared by other countries, the United States and partners from the Baltics and Eastern Europe away from the main route of Russian gas to Europe. Thus, Moscow remains indispensable for ensuring supply flows throughout Europe,» the minister said. The Russian Federation has repeatedly stated that the Nord Stream 2 project, which is actively opposed by the United States, which promotes its liquefied natural gas in the EU, as well as Ukraine, which fears lose transit, commercial, it is beneficial to Europe, and urged to stop mentioning it in the context of any politicization.Moscow also stated that it intends to continue gas transit through Ukraine. .jpg» />Bloomberg: Europe has not found a replacement for Russian gas
