Azarov: Gas contract separates Ukraine from Russia, obliges Kyiv to diversify gas supplies

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said that the current gas contract with Russia separates Kyiv from Moscow every day.

"Every day that the unequal gas contract with Russia is in force, [it] separates Ukraine from Russia," he said during his visit to The Hague on Friday, while commenting on the signing of an operating agreement with Royal Dutch Shell on the development of fields in Ukraine.

Azarov said that from the point of view of strategic partnership, this one-sided benefit does not help build long-term relations.

He noted that the gas contract is a "constant irritant in our bilateral relations."

"Therefore, Ukraine has no other option but to seek partners to diversify gas supplies and engage in energy efficiency," Azarov said.