REUTERS
Russia is ready to provide Ukraine with a gas discount if the Ukrainian authorities ask Russian colleagues for it, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview with Russia 24 TV channel.
"We absolutely understand that the Ukrainian side has no real money to pay in advance for gas purchases. For our part, we have created all conditions, and the Russian side is also ready to ensure gas sales in the fourth quarter, taking into account the discount on the prices that are competitive and effective in neighboring countries, such as Poland," he said.
According to Novak, in the aftermath of oil prices collapse, gas prices are also following downward trajectory, so the price of gas for Ukraine will be reduced following the oil. However, Novak did not specfiy the amount of discount.
"We will not consider this issue on our initiative, because we have a contract, and the contract provides for the price setting according to the formula," he said.
Novak also said that Russia had offered gas to Ukraine at a price which is $20-30 cheaper than that to European partners.
As UNIAN reported earlier, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukraine has 14.1 bcm of gas in underground storage facilities, while aiming at storing 18-19 bcm before the winter heating season begins in mid-October.
On July 1, Ukraine suspended gas deliveries from Russia after fruitless talks in Vienna and significantly reduced its purchases from the EU. At this, Ukraine expected to mobilize enough funds from international financial organizations by September to secure necessary reserves in its underground gas storage facilities for the next heating season.