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Novak, Sefcovic discuss gas transit via Ukraine

MOSCOW, March 6. /TASS/. Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak and European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic have discussed the issues related to Russian gas transit via Ukraine, Russia’s Energy Ministry reported Monday.

"The sides focused on a wide range of issues on energy cooperation, particularly, on the results of passing the autumn-spring period of 2016-2017 and present-day gas transit situation involving Russia and Ukraine," the report said.

Also, the issue of power system operation within BRELL energy ring linking Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and other pressing problems of bilateral cooperation have been discussed, the ministry said.

Gas dispute issue

The trilateral meeting attended by representatives of the Russian Federation, Ukraine and the European Union on Russian gas supplies to Ukraine and gas transit via the territory of the country, was held on December 9, 2016 in Brussels, though no agreements followed. The sides announced plans to keep in contact, particularly, to hold consultations between Gazprom and Ukraine’s Naftogaz. The issue is about extra supplies of 1.5-4 bln cubic meters of gas from Russia to Ukraine.

Ukraine and Russia have serious disagreements regarding gas issue. Naftogaz CEO Andrey Kobolev said earlier the company was only ready to purchase gas from Russia under favorable price, and in case there is a supplement agreement to the existing contract. Particularly, he said, the supplement agreement should set prices for gas supplies, while prepayment should only cover gas volumes that Kiev needs.

Russia’s Energy Minister said gas would be transported in strict adherence to existing contracts, while the sides can only discuss demands, volumes and delivery schedule, but not revise the contract or negotiate a supplement agreement.