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Ukraine should achieve revision of gas contract with Russia this year - PM

Azarov said the IMF’s demand for raising retail gas prices was utterly unacceptable for his country

KIEV, March 2 (Itar-Tass) – For conducting further talks with the IMF on a new cooperation program Ukraine should achieve a revision of its 2009 gas contract with Russia, Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov said on the Inter television channel on Friday evening.

“Naturally, the conditions of the IMF loan will be reconsidered. We have agreed that. We have been told – ‘We shall come to the negotiating table if you have Russia’s decision’,” he said.

Azarov said the IMF’s demand for raising retail gas prices was utterly unacceptable for his country.

He is certain that Kiev will agree with Russia on a reduction of the gas price, because “we have no other way out.”

“One may be critical, one may philosophize on that score, but this year we must achieve a revision of that contract. I believe that Russia, too has no doubts it should agree to this,” Azarov said.

The gas issue will be one of the central themes of negotiations between the presidents of Ukraine and Russia during Yanukovich’s visit to Moscow on March 4.