BRUSSELS, April 6. /TASS/. Ukraine will buy Russian gas if Gazprom offers Kiev a "good price", Andrey Kobolev CEO of Naftogaz said on Wednesday speaking in the European Parliament.
"We can avoid purchases of Russian gas, but if Gazprom offers a good, commercially attractive price, we will buy it," he said, answering a question about whether Kiev will do without Russian gas in the coming months. He added that currently it does not make sense for Ukraine to buy Russian gas due to unfavorable prices.
Earlier, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said the Russian Energy Ministry sees no point in offering Ukraine a discount on gas prices, the price is low anyway.
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"In fact, the price, which is formed according to the formula, is competitive, and there is no need today to give discounts, sign any agreements. The contract (with Ukraine on gas) is valid until 2019. The prices are very low right now, taking into account the price of oil, and they correspond to the prices for the supply of (gas) to Europe by other countries," he said.
At the same time, he noted that the contract price of gas for Ukraine in the second quarter is less than $180 per 1,000 cubic meters.
The Russian government granted Ukraine a $17.77 discount for the first quarter of 2016.
The discount was granted as part of the so-called "winter package" that was agreed by Russia, Ukraine and the EU.
The final price of gas for Ukraine in the first quarter was $212 per 1,000 cubic meters.
On March 31, the period of discount expired and Novak said that from April 1, the price of gas for Kiev will "comply with the current contract".