MOSCOW, December 10 (RAPSI) - A division of Russia's Transneft filed a cassation appeal with the Supreme Commercial Court of Ukraine against a Rivne Regional Commercial Court ruling, that says the ‘Samara–Western Direction’ section of its pipeline through Ukraine must be nationalized, Transneft announced on Wednesday.

On November 25, the Rivne Commercial Court of Appeals confirmed the legality of the ruling to return the Samara–Western Direction pipeline to Ukraine. The pipeline transits diesel fuel from Russia to Ukraine and the EU.

According to Transneft, the treaty between Ukraine and Russia on the mutual recognition of the rights and regulation of property relations of January 15, 1993, clearly states that the pipeline is recognized as Russia’s property. However, the legal status of Transneft’s facilities has been disputed since 2005.

“The decision to seize the pipeline will result in termination of transits to Europe as it rules out any further investment or maintenance of the infrastructure,” the Russian company stressed.

At the same time, Transneft states that the legal disputes around the pipeline are preventing major repairs and a rebuilding of the pipeline, which creates environmental risks. The amount of stolen fuel is also increasing, reaching 1,000 tons in certain months.