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Russia-Ukraine gas dispute

Ukraine's switch of receiving point needs permit from Gazprom, buyers

A solution must be found during trilateral talks between the countries and the EU which are to be held at the beginning of September

An operator watches the screens at the control center of Ukrainian gas transportation company EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

An operator watches the screens at the control center of Ukrainian gas transportation company

© EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

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Russia, Ukraine, EU may discuss gas debt September 5 — source

RUSSELS, August 14. /ITAR-TASS/. Changing a receiving gas point by Ukraine requires permission from Russian gas giant Gazprom and its buyers from the EU, EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger’s press secretary Marlina Holzner told ITAR-TASS late Wednesday, citing Oettinger.

“Naftogaz’ idea that European gas companies should buy Russian gas on the Russian-Ukrainian border, not by transit through Ukraine, requires the revision of supply contracts. This means that the companies and Gazprom must agree with the idea, sit down and change the contracts. It cannot be done overnight,” she said.

A solution must be found during trilateral talks between the countries and the EU which are to be held at the beginning of September.

Last week, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said that Ukraine may impose sanctions on 172 Russians and 65 firms, mostly Russian, as well as ban Russian transit, including the transit of gas, through the country.

On Monday, Naftogaz of Ukraine said Russian companies, which will not be included in the future Ukrainian sanctions list, will be allowed to transit gas through the country to the EU, Turkey and Moldova, if they sign direct agreements with the company.

On Wednesday, Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolev said that the Ukrainian parliament’s approval of the sanctions does not mean that they come in force immediately, as it only creates a legal basis for that. He also said that the issue needs to be resolved during the trilateral talks.

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EU Oil & Gas Naftogaz Gazprom Gunther Oettinger Russia-Ukraine Gas Dispute

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