Comment on the statement by Naftogaz Ukrainy representative on the withdrawal of Russian transit gas for technical needs.  

"Naftogaz Ukrainy has to realize that by making such statements and undertaking such steps the Ukrainian side is again creating a crisis situation with the transit of Russian gas to European consumers. As it has been frequently stated, the provision of technical gas is a direct responsibility of the transit country according to existing contract. If Naftogaz Ukrainy cannot provide the technical gas from its own reserves, it has to buy it rather than unlawfully withdraw it from transit volumes. They can buy the gas from Gazprom, as well as from the importers of Russian gas transiting Ukrainian territory. The technical gas can also be acquired from any supplier in the world. On the basis of swap transactions we are ready to provide the volumes in question to Naftogaz at the Russian-Ukrainian border," Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said.