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Russia-Ukraine gas dispute

Ukraine, EU to hold closed-door meeting on energy cooperation — source

The EU has acted as a mediator in talks between Russia and Ukraine to settle their gas dispute and ensure uninterrupted Russian natural gas transit to Europe via Ukraine in winter

© ITAR-TASS/Alexander Ryumin

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Poroshenko says Ukraine, Russia agreed on gas price for winter

KIEV, October 20. /TASS/. EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger will hold a closed-door meeting with Ukraine’s Energy and Coal Minister Yuriy Prodan on Monday to discuss energy cooperation, a source in the Ukrainian government said.

The EU has acted as a mediator in talks between Russia and Ukraine to settle their gas dispute and ensure uninterrupted Russian natural gas transit to Europe via Ukraine in winter.

The previous three-party gas talks were held on September 26 in Berlin where Russia, Ukraine and the EU prepared a new package deal on settling the gas dispute, which needed to be approved by the governments of the relevant countries.

Details of the new package deal were announced by Oettinger.

Under the new deal, Ukraine should repay its $3.1 billion debt to Gazprom by the end of this year for natural gas supplied to the ex-Soviet republic. In turn, Gazprom will supply 5 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Ukraine and offer an option for another 5 billion cubic meters.

Gazprom will supply 5 billion cubic meters to Ukraine at $385 per 1,000 cu m. This price includes a $100 discount and will be effective only for six months.

After Kiev repays $2 billion in debt, Gazprom will supply at least 5 billion cu m to Ukraine and these deliveries will be obligatory for both sides.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Friday after talks with the leaders of France, Germany and Russia on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit that moderate progress was reached on the gas issue and there were preliminary arrangements on key aspects of the contract.

The press service for EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger said on Thursday that gas talks between Russia and Ukraine with the EU’s mediation would be held in Brussels next week on October 21.

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EU Oil & Gas Energy security Gunther Oettinger Russia-Ukraine Gas Dispute

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