MOSCOW, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia will maintain gas transit to Europe through Ukraine despite the high costs involved, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at an annual press conference Thursday.
"Despite the construction of new infrastructure facilities, such as Nord Stream, Nord Stream 2, and Turk Stream, we will maintain transit through Ukraine," he said.
Although the route via Ukraine is longer and more expensive to operate than the route along the Baltic Sea, Russia is willing to keep it as it is a well-established route to central and southern Europe, Putin said.
He added that Russia is ready to supply gas to Ukraine at a 20-25 percent discount, which will make it cheaper for end-users.
With the current gas transit agreement with Ukraine expiring on Jan. 1, Putin hopes a new agreement can be reached soon.
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