Russia ready for dialog with Ukraine on leasing gas transport system - Putin

Ukraine committed a strategic error in rejecting Russia and its European partners renting Ukraine's gas transport system, compelling Russia to opt for building gas pipelines to Europe that bypass Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a press conference.

"The question is arising as to the justification for the existence of the Ukrainian gas-transport system itself, but we are prepared now for dialog on this score," the president said.