“Not only has the Ukrainian side declared rather cynically that it takes gas from the export pipe, but, according to a dispatch center in the Balkans, Balkan states have already started to suffer from the moves of the Ukrainian side.

In this respect, the Balkan states, if they consider themselves hit in this situation, should use legal means they have in the frames of the Energy Charter in order to prevent the escalation of these events. Ukraine not only signed, but ratified the Energy Charter. This Charter specifies in black and white what obligations transit countries should honor. No disputes or discussions surrounding a gas transit contract can serve as a pretext to obstruct transit. We think, the moment for such actions should not be missed,” stated OAO Gazprom Deputy Chairman of the Management Committee Alexander Medvedev.