Andriy Kobolyev / Photo from UNIAN
Kobolyev says negotiations will most likely be held in early May.
Naftogaz of Ukraine CEO Andriy Kobolyev has said negotiations with Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom on gas transit from the Russian Federation through the territory of Ukraine after 2019 may resume after the presidential election in Ukraine.
"As far as I understand, [Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Energy Union Maros] Sefcovic wants them to take place right after the presidential election, and I think they will most likely be held in early May. I think they have something to discuss with us. They have a difficult situation with Nord Stream 2, they need to think about how to transport gas after 2019, they definitely have their interest," he said in an interview to TSN.ua.
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"Will they be ready to negotiate before the final announcement of the results? I think they won't. But as soon as the outcome of the elections is clear, they will agree to negotiations," he said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Vice-President of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic said on April 9 the European Commission intends to resume trilateral negotiations with Russia and Ukraine on the long-term gas transit contract immediately after the completion of the presidential elections in Ukraine.