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Putin, Yanukovich to discuss ways to solve “gas problem”

Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that no gas documents would be signed at the talks in Yalta
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, July 12 (Itar-Tass) —— The “gas problem” will be discussed in detail at the upcoming talks between President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich in Yalta on Thursday, July 12.

Putin will travel to the Crimea on a working visit to attend the 5th meeting of the Russian-Ukrainian interstate commission.

“Despite some disagreements on certain aspects of the ‘gas problem’, such as pricing formula and the amount of gas bought by Ukraine, the sides continue methodical work to create a legal framework in order to take interaction in this field to a higher level,” presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said.

“Putin and Yanukovich will discuss at length possibilities and prospects for solving this strategic task in the near future, primarily in light of the work to draft a new full-scale agreement on broader gas cooperation as well as the implementation of the agreement between Gazprom and Naftogaz Ukrainy on join development of the Pallas offshore block in the Black Sea,” the aide said.

He noted that the Kremlin expects serious practical results from the project to ensure parallel operation of the united energy systems of Ukraine and the unified energy systems of Russia.

“The relevant inter-governmental agreement is going through the process of coordination,” Ushakov said.

At the same time, he said that no gas documents would be signed at the talks in Yalta.