Naftogaz CEO Kobolev says Ukraine wants to negotiate the price of gas and transit supplies with Russia / Photo from UNIAN
Naftogaz of Ukraine CEO Andriy Kobolev says Ukraine is ready for new gas talks with Russia but if the European Union joins, although the date of the talks has not been fixed yet.
"The whole range of issues – gas transit, purchases [should be discussed]. There has been no decision on the format – we suggest a trilateral format. The date [of the possible talks] hasn't been fixed yet, but for sure nothing has been scheduled for February. The date is not known yet," Kobolev told reporters on Wednesday.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the trilateral format when the EU joined Ukraine-Russia gas talks was used in autumn 2014 to settle the fuel crisis caused by hostilities in Ukraine's east. Ukraine was also seeking for a reduction in the price of Russian gas, which was about $500 per 1,000 cubic meters without a discount.
The countries agreed on the so-called winter and summer packages of gas supplies. The winter package for 2016 was agreed in autumn 2015. This temporary agreement will be in effect until March 31, 2016. Then the sides should find a new compromise over shipments of gas if Ukraine needs additional amounts of it.
At the same time, Ukraine expects that claims against Russia's OAO Gazprom will be considered by the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce in spring 2016. The claims cover the formation of the price of Russian gas, the amount of gas transit supplies and transit rates with other pressing issues.