Brussels, 19/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - As soon as the agreement between publicly owned energy companies Gazprom of Russia and Naftogaz of Ukraine has been sealed, following an intense flurry of diplomatic activity in Moscow this weekend, Russian gas will again flow through Ukraine towards Europe, promised the heads of government of Russia Vladimir Putin and Ukraine Julia Tymoshenko, meeting in the Russian capital to initial the contracts, as we went to press. On Monday, observers wondered about the price Ukraine will have to pay for Russian gas. The agreement reached on Sunday afternoon provides for a rate set by Russia based on European rates, but with a 20% reduction for 200, on condition that transit prices remain at their 2008 levels. The latest rate demanded by Russia was $450 per 1,000 cubic metres, compared with $179.5 in 2008. While welcoming the Russia-Ukraine promise of the resumption of the transit of gas on Monday, the EU, worn out by the numerous turns that the dispute has taken, was cautiously optimistic. “This weekend's discussions were a test case for Russia and Ukraine's credibility as gas suppliers. It now appears that these talks are bearing fruit. But we have seen many false dawns in this dispute, and the 'test' in this case is whether or not the gas flows to Europe's consumers. Until that point, the wait goes on,” said Czech Industry Minister Martin Riman on behalf of the Presidency of the Council, and Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs for the European Commission, both of whom attended the meetings in Moscow this weekend. (E.H./transl.rt)