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Russia-Ukraine gas dispute

EU energy chief opposes sanctions against Russia’s gas sector

The European Union expects to reach a compromise with Russia, EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger says

EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger EPA/JULIEN WARNAND

EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger

© EPA/JULIEN WARNAND

KIEV, September 23. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia’s gas sector should not be subjected to EU sanctions over the Ukrainian crisis, EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said on Tuesday.

Oettinger said at the 12th Energy Community's session in Kiev that his stance is to avoid any sanctions in the Russian gas sector, adding that reliable energy supplies should not become a political tool.

The European Union expects to reach a compromise with Russia and seeks to get Russian gas supplies in full amount and for a market price, he said. Brussels is also considering a possibility to switch to pragmatic solutions with Russian partners.

Russia, Ukraine and the European Union are scheduled to hold a trilateral gas meeting in Berlin on September 26.

The previous discussions, launched on May 2, that involved Oettinger, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and his Ukrainian counterpart Yuriy Prodan, ended on June 16 with no result.

Ukraine’s Naftogaz and Russian energy giant Gazprom later filed mutual claims to the Stockholm Arbitration Tribunal.

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