Russia to continue talks with Austria, Hungary, Serbia

Russia to continue talks with Austria, Hungary, Serbia

MOSCOW -- Russia is ready to continue talks with Austria, Hungary and Serbia, Russia's Ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov said on Wednesday.

"Ways out of the situation that developed as a result of the closure of the South Stream project" would be discussed, he said, TASS reported.

"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...