Russia to continue talks with Austria, Hungary, Serbia

Russia to continue talks with Austria, Hungary, Serbia

“The Russian side is ready to discuss what to do next and how to overcome the situation. The gas pipeline thread may go in any direction from the Turkish hub," Chizhov told the Rossiya 24 TV channel.

"Serbia, of course, is today not a member of the EU, but Serbia, as is well known, has applied for membership. We all witnessed the pressure EU exerted on Belgrade on political issues - including on joining the anti-Russian sanctions, and you can be sure, also on economic topics."

According to Chizhov, it is too early to say who lost, and who won from the decision to abandon South Stream.

"I think, first of all, the final balance should be made when the alternative pipeline is built," RIA Novosti reported him as saying.

According to Chizhov, the new pipeline will be placed at the bottom of the Black Sea and will emerge in the west of the country, close to its European part.

"When this node will be built in the Turkish territory - it cannot be quickly, and by then we will see what will be the position of the EU and what will be the position of the states concerned," said Chizhov.

The Russian diplomat at the same time accused the United States of "actively opposing the realization of South Stream, stressing it was necessary to reduce Europe's energy dependence on Russian energy supplies."

"This is the policy of the current and previous administrations," he said, adding that the United States, at the same time, never promised TO replace Russia as a source of energy.

"All these talks on gas and oil from shale that will flow from the United States - these are stories for the uninformed," said Chizhov, adding that, even if American laws that restricts export were changed, U.S. companies would not use these permits in the European but in the Asian market where the price of gas is one and a half times higher.

Chizhov also "expressed surprise" that Russia has not received gratitude from the EU for meeting it half way and canceling the South Stream project.

"Perhaps this was unexpected to the general public in Europe, but for professionals working in the energy sector is was not," he said.

As for Bulgaria, Chizhov said that it did not recommended itself as a reliable partner not only when it comes to South Stream, but also in other projects.

According to him, the political situation in that country "is not simple," with governments changing, and some stepping down due to differences regarding energy issues.

Chizhov said that Bulgaria's position was the reason Burgas-Alexandroupolis and the equipping of the new nuclear power plant Belene were not realized.

Turkey, on the other hand, "is reliable and able to make decisions independently," according to him:

"Turkey is acting quite independently. We should not forget that Turkey is a NATO member and a candidate for EU membership, but the Turkish leadership behaves quite independently, in any case much more independently than, alas, the Bulgarian government."