Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak has delivered a speech following trilateral gas talks between the EU, Russia and Ukraine in Brussels

 

 

MOSCOW, December 9. /TASS/. Ukraine is ready to purchase from 1.5 to 4 bln cubic meters of gas, the minister said. 

"It can be said according to outcomes that the Ukrainian party expressed readiness to buy from 1.5 to 4 bln cubic meters of gas in winter season in order to provide reliable supply for Ukrainian consumers and transit to European consumers," Novak said, adding that Gazprom ready to supply gas to Ukraine.

"The Russian party and Gazprom showed readiness to supply Russian gas to Ukraine within the framework of the effective contract," the Russian minister said.

Russia is deeply concerned of Ukraine’s decision to impose $6.6 bln fine, the minister went on.

Novak handed over a letter concerning an antimonopoly probe against Gazprom in Ukraine to Vice President of the European Commission (EC) Maros Sefcovic. Similar letters were written to energy ministers of countries - consumers of Russian gas, Novak said.

"We expressed deep concerns of the decision made on December 5 by the economic court of Kiev to impose $6.6 bln fine on Gazprom. In our opinion, this is an absolute unlawful decision, since it was not made by Stockholm Court, and gives an opportunity for the time being to speak about new risks of gas transit to European consumers," the Russian minister said.

Russia and Ukraine have no disagreements on gas price. 

"This time we have no price disagreements because the Ukrainian party and the Russian party confirm that the gas price formed in this quarter, particularly in December, pursuant to the contract formula, is absolutely competitive," Novak said.

"The Ukrainian side is interested in buying gas from Russia, in commercial aspect," the minister said.

Russia does not plan to hold oil production optimization talks with the OPEC today, Novak added.

"Talks are scheduled for tomorrow and today we should fly from Brussels to Vienna," the Russian minister said.