Ukrainian MP: Gazprom Wants Naftogaz Privatised

A Ukrainian MP has accused the Ukrainian government and Russian supplier Gazprom of delaying talks in order to privatise Ukrainian state-owned Naftogaz and the Ukrainian gas transport system.

Mykola Tomenko, a member of the Ukrainian parliament and also a member of the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, a bloc of political parties headed by jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, made the statement through his press service.

"It is obvious that Russia doesn't want to sign the agreement because it has put forward a tough requirement: the privatisation of Ukraine's gas transportation system and the reorganisation of the National JSC Naftogaz Ukrainy with the controlling stake going to Russia," the MP is reported as saying.

Talks between Gazprom and the Ukrainian government are due to resume on 15 January. So far, no clear indication has been given as to when a resolution on gas prices can be reached.

Last week, chairman of Gazprom's management committee Alexey Miller told Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that Ukraine was seeking a discount of $9 billion annually on Russian gas supply.