Gazprom's proposal on gas transit unacceptable to Ukraine - Orzhel

Ukraine's Minister of Energy and Environmental Protection Oleksiy Orzhel said this live on the Freedom of Speech talk show on the ICTV channel on Monday, November 18.

"Let's be frank. The proposal that was made is unacceptable to Ukraine, given that we need to waive arbitration proceedings and sign a one-year agreement on the use of the Ukrainian gas transportation system," Orzhel said.

The minister expressed hope that the parties would still be able to return to a constructive dialogue.

Gazprom on November 18 sent a formal proposal to Naftogaz on extending the current contract or signing a new contract on natural gas transit through Ukraine for a one-year period, taking into account European buyers' projected demand for gas in 2020.

Gazprom's proposal states that the necessary conditions for continuing the current contract or signing a new agreement are a waiver by both sides of all mutual claims in international arbitration and a cessation of all legal disputes.

In addition, the official proposal, signed by Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, includes the following terms: the reversal of a decision by the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine imposing a fine on Gazprom for "violating economic competition" and the withdrawal of Naftogaz's request to initiate a European Commission investigation against the Russian company. Gazprom also expects Ukraine's position on the readiness to buy Russian gas directly beginning in 2020.

op