KYIV, May 16 – Russia's Gazprom has a technical capability of halting the use of the Ukrainian gas transmission system (GST) even if the construction of the alternative route Nord Stream 2 is not completed, Chairman of the Executive Board of NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy Andriy Kobolev said at the Ukraine: Game of Thrones: Final Season? international investment conference organized by Cocorde Capital in Kyiv on Thursday.

“According to our estimates, the Russian side has the technical capability not to use gas transit viaUk next year, even if Nord Stream 2 is not built. At the same time, it can fulfill the minimum volumes of gas supplies to European consumers under the existing contracts of Gazprom. Deficit of gas supply in this situation is approximately 5 billion cubic meters. These calculations coincide with the calculations of several large international institutions," he said.