Ukraine Expects Gazprom to Cut Gas Price - Newspaper

Kyiv intends to achieve from Gazprom a price of USD 250-260/1,000 cubic meters in exchange for the creation of a gas transportation consortium in a trilateral format, Ukrinform has reported, citing an article from Kommersant-Ukraine published on November 25.

"Now our position is price reduction to USD 250-260 per thousand cubic meters and guarantees of the gas transportation system load at no less than 90 billion cubic meters a year," a newspaper source explained.

According to him, Ukraine is also ready to set up a consortium with Russia on the basis of the Ukrainian GTS.

The Energy and Coal Industry Ministry of Ukraine officially does not comment on the situation, as well as the press service of Gazprom. However, the source that is familiar with the position of the Russian side noted that the consortium itself is not enough to reduce the price of gas today. "The consortium itself is hardly interesting to anyone. Cooperation shall take place in a wider format, the Ukrainian side should offer be package. This may be a consortium, participation in joint projects on gas and admission of Gazprom to the ultimate consumers of fuel,” the source explained.

Copyright: Ukrinform, 2013