MOSCOW, January 22. /TASS/. Russia’s gas giant Gazprom considers the decision of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine to impose a 85 billion hryvnia fine on the company as an attempt to put pressure on the company and plans to defend its interests, the Russian gas holding said in a statement.
"Today it was reported that the Anti-Monopoly Committee of Ukraine decided to fine Gazprom for the sum of 85 billion hryvnia [about $3.4 billion] for abusing its dominant position on the market of natural gas transit in Ukraine. This is extremely surprising, since Gazprom does not conduct any business in the territory of Ukraine and transfer gas to Naftogaz Ukraine on the western border of the Russian Federation. The decision of the antimonopoly committee cannot be regarded otherwise but an attempt to put pressure on Gazprom. Gazprom intends to defend their rights and legitimate interests by all available legal ways," the statement said.