OREANDA-NEWS. Ukraine should start producing its own hydrocarbons and producing energy carriers, in particular, "green" hydrogen after the launch of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, said the head of the National Council of Reforms of Ukraine Mikhail Saakashvili on the air of the Ukraine 24 TV channel.

He believes that one cannot believe that the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine will continue after the gas pipeline is put into operation. “The fact that the geopolitical importance of Ukraine will decrease after the start of Nord Stream 2 is unambiguous. But this must be compensated for by the fact that Ukraine must develop its resources, including green hydrogen,” Saakashvili said.

At the same time, he accused Russia of allegedly wanting to "block off" the Black Sea for Ukraine, since it is in the south of the country that the main deposits of "green" hydrogen are concentrated. "And Russia is looking at these things," says Saakashvili.

Russia's guarantees to continue gas transit through Ukraine after the expiration of the current agreement cannot be trusted. In addition, Russia intends to "block" the Black Sea for Ukraine, since there are hydrocarbon deposits in the south of Ukraine, Saakashvili said.

The USA and Germany signed an agreement on July 21, which provides for the completion of the construction of Nord Stream 2. The parties pledged to facilitate the extension of the agreement on gas transit through Ukraine after 2024.