KIEV, July 7 - President Petro Poroshenko said he is confident that transit of Russian gas through Ukraine will continue after 2019.

"I am confident that transit through Ukraine and the transit agreement between Naftogaz and Gazprom after 2019 will also be extended, as there is no other economic alternative," he said at a press conference with Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev in Kiev.

Poroshenko stressed the importance of ensuring the energy security of the European Union.

"I can assure you that any projects bypassing Ukraine make gas in Europe more expensive, which means that prices are not competitive... We will not support this. Ukraine is interested in long-term, market-based prices, ensuring the energy security of the European Union.