Brussels, 10/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger will meet with the Russian and Ukrainian energy ministers, Alexander Novak and Yuri Prodan, in Berlin on 21 October, with a view to finalising the interim agreement reached on 26 September to re-establish Russian gas supplies to Ukraine. The Russian side signalled its agreement on 10 October to the date proposed by the EU.
The compromise on the table for restoring the supply of Russian gas to Ukraine until spring 2015 reposes on Ukraine's paying, in two instalments and before the end of the year, of part of what it owes Gazprom: a first tranche of $2 billion by the end of October and a second of $1.1 by the end of December. It also provides for supply by Gazprom of at least five billion cubic metres of gas to Ukraine in the next six months, against payment in advance by Kiev, at a price of $385 per thousand cubic metres. The $3.1 billion to be paid by Ukraine correspond to what Kiev esteems its debt. Gazprom, on the other hand, is demanding $5.3 billion. Ukraine and Russia have referred the matter to the Commercial Arbitration Court in Stockholm and, if the outcome goes against it, Ukraine will pay the remainder of what is owed, as per the terms of the compromise. (EH)