ANKARA
Fears that Russia may stop supply of natural gas to Ukraine are "groundless," Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkey Sergiy Korsunsky said Thursday.
Speaking at a meeting in the Ankara-based think tank, the International Strategic Research Organization, Korsunsky called on the West to think about diversifying energy supplies instead of holding such fears.
"Russia has to sell [its natural gas], and they do not have any means to stop its flow," he said.
Last week, Ukraine's energy ministry issued a warning that the flow of Russia's natural gas to the European Union may be stopped.
Expressing concerns over Russia's next move after its annexation of Crimea, Korsunsky said, "If Russia invaded eastern Ukraine, a war would break out. We do not want this."
He said Ukraine was not seeking a military action, and reiterated that diplomatic ways and economic sanctions were the right ways to stop Russia.
NATO Chief Fogh Rasmussen said on Wednesday that it would be a "historic mistake" if Moscow further intervened in Ukraine after annexing Crimea into the Russian Federation.
Rasmussen's remark came one day after the NATO ministers suspended all practical civilian and military cooperation with Russia in response to the annexation of Crimea following a controversial referendum on March 16 in the strategic peninsula.
On former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's plans to run for president in May, Korsunsky said, "She was in power before and people know her very well, but she will certainly face strong contenders."
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