http://premier.gov.ru
7 January 2009
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller
Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, Mr Miller.
Alexei Miller: Good afternoon, Mr Putin.
Vladimir Putin: How are our natural gas supplies to Western Europe going?
Alexei Miller: We are supplying the amount ordered by our foreign clients to the Russian-Ukrainian border-minus what Ukraine has stolen in its territory. Ukraine blocked all gas export corridors to Europe in the early morning hours today.
Vladimir Putin: It has blocked gas transits to Europe today-have I got it right?
Alexei Miller: Yes. Russia is not supplying any gas to Europe via Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin: Are supplies suspended?
Alexei Miller: Yes.
Vladimir Putin: Is Gazprom still exporting gas to Ukrainian pipelines?
Alexei Miller: Yes, it is.
Vladimir Putin: So we are keeping up our exports, though Ukraine has blocked them?
Alexei Miller: That's it.
Vladimir Putin: How long will it go on?
Alexei Miller: By all appearances, we should suspend gas supplies to the Russian-Ukrainian border. I think that's the right thing to do, since Ukraine has entirely blocked gas transits and is pilfering Russian gas.
Vladimir Putin: Is there documentary proof of Ukraine blocking gas transits entirely?
Alexei Miller: Yes, Mr Putin, there is.
Vladimir Putin: What is it?
Alexei Miller: It is information from the SGS independent transnational company and Russian observers about the exits of all export corridors from Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin: Is it reflected in the documents?
Alexei Miller: Yes.
Vladimir Putin: It's 15.45 now, and Gazprom is still exporting gas to Ukrainian pipelines. I think you are right that we should suspend supplies-but we need the greatest possible publicity for it, and we must do it in the presence of international observers.
Alexei Miller: All right, Mr Putin.