(29.10.2015) NGE: How do we have to treat Mr. Putin‘s new initiative to involve Gazprom in the Israeli natural gas industry?

OE: One mustn’t accept this as a threat. I don’t think it sounds as a threat. It is a Russian attempt to say that beyond the economic interest we can add another positive consideration. However from clear strategic circumstances Israel shouldn’t consider that proposal. The interest of the Russians in [Israeli] gas is well known. I think that Israel‘s response to the proposal to secure Israeli gas facilities should be „no, thank you, we‘ll manage ourselves.“ I would make a distinction between Putin‘s proposal that if it would be accepted, will entangle us with the Americans and Europeans, and therefore, to say the least, will not be accepted. However if Israel will not have other options [to develop its natural gas assets] it will have to consider an engagement with
a Russian entity for the development of Leviathan.