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Ukraine in talks with Turkey on LNG supplies across Bosporus Strait — media

Ukraine plans to build an LNG-terminal worth €846 million for receiving LNG supplies from Turkey

KIEV, March 20. /TASS/. Ukraine is in talks with Turkey on the possibility of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to its territory across the Bosporus Strait, the Ukrainian media reported on Friday, citing Deputy Energy and Coal Minister Alexander Svetelik.

The Turkish side has not yet made a final decision, he said, adding Ukraine planned to build an LNG-terminal worth €846 million for receiving LNG supplies.

The Ukrainian deputy energy and coal minister said he believed the construction of a gas pipeline to connect the LNG terminal with the country’s gas transportation system would cost €113 million.

"As of today, there are some factors, which are slowing the implementation of this project. In particular, the unfavorable factor is related to Turkey’s uncertainty about giving its consent to Ukraine for the free passage of tankers with liquefied gas across the Bosporus. Yesterday and today we’re holding negotiations with the Turkish side on this problem," the Ukrainian deputy energy and coal minister said.

Ukraine’s major gas suppliers are currently Russia and European countries that resupply Russian natural gas in a reverse-flow mode.

Ukraine imported 4.1 billion cubic meters of natural gas in January-February, including 2.3 billion cubic meters from Europe, according to data provided in March by Ukrainian gas transportation company Ukrtransgaz.

In the same period last year, Ukraine also imported 4.1 billion cubic meters of natural gas but the entire volume came from Russia.

In February, Ukraine imported 2.1 billion cubic meters of gas. Reverse-flow gas supplies from EU countries totaled 1.2 billion cubic meters, including 1.1 billion cubic meters from Slovakia, 100 million cubic meters from Hungary and 60 million cubic meters from Poland. Russia supplied 900 million cubic meters of natural gas over that month.

Ukraine’s annual gas consumption amounts to about 50 billion cubic meters.