Ukraine needs long-term gas transit contract with Gazprom - PM

He said this at a briefing on Wednesday, commenting on Gazprom's proposal to extend the current gas transit contract for a year.

"Ukraine will be happy with a long-term contract, which ensures, on the one hand, the full use of our gas transmission system and, on the other hand, the energy security of Ukraine and Europe as we constantly insisted that gas transit from Russia to the EU through Ukraine is one of the important factors for energy security in Europe," Honcharuk said.

He said that he would not comment on specific clauses of the contract so as not to interfere with the ongoing negotiations.

"As part of the negotiations, these arrangements should be discussed freely, without encumbrances in terms of political positions," Honcharuk added.

He stressed that Ukraine does not need any one-year interim option or solution that will let Russians complete their infrastructure and use it to put pressure on Ukraine and European countries.

The current gas transit contract with Gazprom expires on December 31, 2019.

op