KIEV, Dec. 2 – The Ukrainian gas transport system's role has grown with Russia's decision to stop the construction of the South Stream pipeline, says Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Prodan.

"Surely, if there is no South Stream, our gas transport system's role is increasing," Prodan told journalists in Kiev on Tuesday.

Ukraine has objected to the construction of bypassing pipelines from the start, as it believes that relatively moderate investments in the modernization of the existing gas transport pipeline could satisfy European consumer needs for Russian gas, he said.