Oettinger: European Commission will not accept Russian energy principle 'divide et impera'

 The European Commission does not accept the current energy policy of Russia, which acts on the rule 'divide et impera' (divide and rule). Brussels wants to prove its solidarity with Ukraine in the energy sphere.

EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger has said this at a press conference Friday, in Warsaw, a special correspondent of Ukrinform reports.

"The game of 'divide et impera' (divide and rule), or a game of this type proposed by Moscow cannot be and will not be accepted by EU member states," Oettinger said. Oettinger said that energy security of Ukraine is important for the EU, in particular, due to the difficult situation in this country.

According to him, a plan of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on reduction of energy dependence on Russia in the energy sphere is of interest. The European Commissioner confirmed that there are big differences in terms of gas prices for Russian gas for the EU countries, and stressed the need to create a unified gas energy market for the EU, with unified gas prices for all consumers.

Oettinger also stressed the infrastructure with regard to gas and energy transit should have a pan-European structure and should also include Ukraine, Georgia and Western Balkans. According to him, new underground storages should be built, transborder transit gas pipelines, terminals for liquefied gas, as well as gas supply sources should be diversified through the gas purchases from Algeria, Libya, Norway and Qatar.