Ukraine's Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Yuriy Prodan considers unlikely that a compromise will be reached with Russia at the forthcoming tripartite consultations on gas in Berlin.
‘On Friday 26 we will hold tripartite talks in Berlin with the participation of the European Commission, [and] we will look for a compromise with Russia, … [but] it will be very difficult to find a compromise with the Russian side. Russia does not want to negotiate,’ he said at a cabinet meeting in Kyiv.
According to him, the last proposal of the European Commission on gas ‘is sound and reasonable’ and could ensure the energy security of Ukraine and the EU.
As reported, European Commission Vice President for Energy Gunther Oettinger said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday the European Commission proposes that Kyiv and Moscow sign an interim contract for gas supplies, which will be in effect until the Stockholm arbitration court issues a ruling in the gas dispute between Ukraine and Russia.
A meeting between the EU, Ukraine and Russia on gas issues is scheduled for Sept. 26.
