Danylyuk: Gas transit talks with Russia to be held after new government is formed
"The talks [on gas supply with the Russian Federation] are most likely to be held after the formation of a new government and the appointment of the energy minister who will be responsible for this negotiation process," Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Danylyuk said on the air of Radio Novoye Vremya.
According to him, now the Ukrainian side assesses different scenarios, including the option of complete cessation of gas transit.
“It's not just a matter of negotiation. We must fulfil certain conditions. One of them is the completion of the reform of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, the so-called ‘unbundling’,” Danylyuk said.
As reported, the contract on transit of Russian gas through the territory of Ukraine ends on December 31, 2019. Naftogaz planned to propose transporting 60 billion cubic meters of Russia gas annually for ten years at the upcoming talks. According to the company, this proposal was agreed upon with European partners and is based on the European approach to the transit tariff formation.
On July 26, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak announced that Russia had offered to extend the current gas transit contract with Ukraine for a year.
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