Naftogaz says Russia launches gas transit talks

After presidential elections were held in Ukraine, Moscow began negotiations with Kyiv on extending gas transit via the Ukrainian territory toward the European Union, Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolyev wrote on Facebook Thursday.

"As we expected, immediately after the Ukraine elections, Moscow began negotiations on the extension of gas transit. This round was held by the Russian president from a distant Beijing. Of course, not a word was said about Russia's need to secure transit and Gazprom’s willingness to enter into a contract on standard European terms. It was about how Ukraine would freeze," Kobolyev stressed.

Read alsoEuropean Commission ready to resume gas talks with Ukraine, Russia right after Ukraine elections

According to the head of Naftogaz, Gazprom will not have completed and launched gas pipelines bypassing Ukraine before the end of the existing contract. At the same time, unlike in 2009, Russia cannot block gas supplies to Ukraine.

"Gazprom owes money to Naftogaz, not vice versa. Ukraine has implemented the EU legislation, which establishes clear rules and requirements for the use of gas infrastructure. Actually, neither Gazprom nor Naftogaz have any significant room for maneuver," Kobolyev wrote, calling Putin’s statements "artillery barrage to support the upcoming trilateral talks in May."

As UNIAN reported earlier, Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolyev assumes the transit of Russian gas by Ukraine could be completely suspended in 2020.