Kremlin offers Ukraine to extend gas transit contract for a year
Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak said that Moscow offered Kyiv to extend the current contract for gas transit on existing conditions for a year, but the Ukrainian side didn't respond yet, reports RIA Novosti news agency.
He added that the adjustments could be discussed during the negotiations between the companies. "We don't see any reaction yet. We wait for any comments from the Ukrainian government. Then we will discuss the deal at our meetings," the Minister said.
Earlier, Reuters news agency reported that the Russian authorities intend to conclude a short-term agreement with Ukraine on gas transit, that will replace the ten-year deal that is ending this year. The source of the news agency pointed out that Ukraine wanted to make a new agreement for ten years, but it is not profitable to the Russian side. Another source said that the EU invited representatives of Moscow and Kyiv to hold new transit talks, which are scheduled for September 16.
Ukrainian oil and gas company Naftogaz stated that it had not received an offer from the Russian side to conclude a short-term contract. The Executive Director of the company Yuri Vitrenko pointed out that Gazprom should officially respond to the proposal of the European Commission on a ten-year deal. If Gazprom does not accept this proposal, it must submit its version of the agreement.