Czechs Could Get Russia Gas, Oil Even if Ukraine Transit Halted

The Czech Republic would be able to import Russian natural gas via alternative routes if transport through Ukraine is halted and it could also supply neighbouring Slovakia, Industry Minister Jan Mladek said on Friday.

He said the country could find other routes for shipments of Russian oil, which Czech refineries use, including by sea if its transit through Ukraine is stopped, although it would be more difficult than securing gas shipments.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk, fielding a question on Friday from a journalist on whether proposed sanctions against Russia could affect the transit of gas across Ukraine, said "all types of transit" could be hit.

(Reporting by Jason Hovet and Jan Lopatka; editing by Jason Neely)