"Ask EU for compensation," Russian ambassador advises

"Ask EU for compensation," Russian ambassador advises

"The west and Brussels undermined South Stream. What's the nervousness about now, and why is the blame shifted to Russia," he asked, and added:

"As the Russian gas giant Gazprom was making an increasing number of concessions, more and more conditions were being put before it concerning South Stream."

"Russia was constantly placed in a situation to ask and beg, but also to pay and beg," said Chepurin, stressing that "the rules were constantly changing against Gazprom, and to their advantage."

The Russian diplomat explained that the deadline to start construction works on the pipeline was in early November, and that Bulgaria was supposed to announce its decision by December 1.

"Russia patiently waited, and October, November, and also December 1 passed, while approval did not arrive from Bulgaria. I don't know if Bulgaria made the decision independently, if Brussels made the decision, or somebody outside of Brussels," Chepurin said.

Asked if Russia would "now agree to a revision of the Inter-State Energy Agreement between Serbia and Russia," the ambassador said his country will fulfill all its obligations from the deal.

"We should not be drawn into fabricated speculation and attempts at cheap propaganda, aimed only at damaging Serbia," he added, and noted that his country did not have a tradition of compromising others and working at the expense of others.

Asked where Serbia and other participating countries should turn to for compensation of damages, Chepurin smiled and said, "turn to the EU."

"Gazprom paid for everything from its own pocket and President Putin has suggested that the EU should pay for loss of profit damages, but I think that would be very difficult," he said, again speaking in a serious tone.

The diplomat then added that Russia and Serbia will reach agreement "in a friendly manner."

He also assured Serbians that Russia would fulfill all its obligations when it comes to supplying Serbia with gas during this winter.

"Russia will do everything so there are no complications with gas deliveries to Serbia," he added.

Serbian Minister of Energy and Mining Aleksandar Antic has said that the country "suffered great damage from the abandonment of the South Stream gas pipeline."

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced the end of the pipeline project, and blamed the EU. Brussels on Tuesday said that it still planned to go ahead with "discussions about South Stream" and hold the next meeting on December 9.