Alexei Miller: Ukrainian GTS Belongs in A Museum

CEO of Gazprom Alexey Miller says that Ukraine's gas transport system (GTS) should be in a museum if it is historical to Ukraine.

"If, as one hears in Ukraine, the gas transport system is a historical treasure, its place, apparently, is in a museum," the CEO is reported as saying.

When asked about the transport system's place in gas supply, especially in consideration to the South Stream gas pipeline project, Mr. Miller said that would depend on Ukraine.

"That completely depends on the role Ukraine itself gives the gas transport system," he said.

The comments come on the same day as rumours arise that Gazprom has offered to purchase the transport system. According to a source reported on by Ukrainian newspaper, Kommersant-Ukraine, Gazprom has offered $4 billion to purchase the GTS. The newspaper says that the Ukrainian government has refused the offer.

The transport system remains a contentious issue in Ukraine, dividing political opinion in the government. Earlier today, Party of Regions MP, Inna Bohoslovska, told Interfax-Ukraine that the transport system should remain the property of Ukraine.

"The absolute majority in the Regions Party and the government proceed from the fact that Ukraine's gas transport system should remain the property of Ukraine," she said."Therefore, any legislation that will be passed in the sphere of the use of the GTS will most likely be based on this."

Ukrainian Minister for Energy Yuriy Boiko has also said that a sale of the gas transport system is not on the cards. Speaking at the weekend, he said that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on gas contracts were still ongoing.

"The issue of a sale has never been on the agenda. We dismissed it immediately," he said. "If we find a model that satisfies both sides, we will make a deal. Otherwise we will work under the existing contract."