Energy Minister Demchyshyn announces U.S. informal participation in Ukraine-Europe gas talks in Vienna / Photo from UNIAN
Bilateral gas talks between Ukraine and the European Commission, which are scheduled for August 27 and August 28, will be held with the participation of representatives from the U.S. government, according to Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn.
"The meeting will take place in Vienna on [August] 27-28. Americans partners are scheduled to take part. The meeting is the next round [of the gas talks]. The American side will be represented by the U.S. government. This is a bilateral format with U.S. delegates participating informally," he told reporters on Wednesday.
The issue of additional financing for Ukraine to buy gas might be raised during the talks, he said. Though, "no one seems really eager to give Ukraine the money," he added.
Gas talks between Ukraine and the EU were announced late in July. They will be held as part of the 10th anniversary of the Energy Community. Ukrainian delegates will be led by Demchyshyn, the European side will be represented by Vice-President of the European Commission for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič. The parties intend to hammer out a common position for entering trilateral gas talks with Russia by the middle of September.