Russia-Ukraine Gas Talks Planned to Re-commence

Ministerial level discussions between Russia, Ukraine and the European Commission on gas supply for the upcoming winter season are set to commence following a breakdown of discussions in July.

Climate and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete said that the Commission would meet the Ukrainian side on 27 August and the Russian side in early September.

Speaking at a briefing Thursday, Arias Cañete said "there will be probably a trilateral ministerial level meeting at the end of September.”

The Commissioner commented that discussions in July appeared as “it became clear that there wasn’t political will on both sides.” 

On Wednesday, Ukraine’s Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Vladimir Demchishin confirmed that representatives of the representatives of the US Government “will be attending non-officially."

Talks to achieve a new “Winter Package” would cover pricing, guaranteeing volumes for Ukraine’s domestic use and for gas transit as well as the financing required for the purchases

As Minister Demchishin commented, so far "no one is eager to provide Ukraine with funds.”