South Stream Could Consider ‘Plan B’, Russian Journalist Says

South Stream's Planned Route. Photo: Wikipedia

Gazprom could consider another route for South Stream if the EU continued to obstruct the construction of the Moscow-backed gas pipeline, a Russian journalist has suggested.

According to journalist Oleg Makarenko, Russia could opt for a route through Turkey and Greece to reach the South Stream’s final destinations in Italy and Austria, dropping the planned route via Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary and Slovenia.

Highlighting the pros and cons of what he describes as Gazprom’s  ‘Plan B’ in an opinion piece posted on the website of Russian newspaper Vzglyad, the author opines that if South Stream was built via Turkey and transit pipelines currently carrying Russian gas via Ukraine were to be blocked completely, Gazprom would be unable to supply gas to Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary and Romania.

On Tuesday, South Stream Bulgaria announced it was suspending all public procurement activities and will not sign contracts related to the pipeline, citing a recommendation from the European Commission.

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