The Russian side views Kyiv's desire to sign a supplementary agreement to its gas supply contract as an attempt to strengthen its position in the multibillion-dollar Stockholm arbitration between Gazprom and Naftogaz Ukrainy.

Speaking on Rossiya 24 television, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said: "Naftogaz has announced it is ready to purchase gas without a discount. Its only demand is to amend the contract. But no alteration to the contract is needed to purchase gas. The Ukrainian side is trying to create favorable terms for itself in Stockholm arbitration. Our position here is very firm: there will be no alterations to the contract."

Novak said the Russian side sees risks to Russian gas transit to Europe this winter. "They are connected with insufficient injections into underground storage facilities and the Kyiv Economic Court ruling in favor of the $6.6 billion fine levied by the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine. This is an absolutely illegal ruling. Gazprom is currently filing an appeal. A decision on this matter will be taken not by a court in Kyiv, but by Stockholm arbitration. Conditions are being created to use this mechanism to get Russian gas destined for European consumers. We expect the European Commission to pay attention to this. This decision needs to be immediately canceled, so that there is no such possibility," he said.

"We believe that in order to get through winter, Naftogaz needs to buy additional gas. There are no restrictions whatsoever on Ukraine buying gas. Whatever amount is paid for, that is how much that will be delivered. At three-party consultations, it was confirmed that Ukraine has the money," Novak said.

"There are no questions at all concerning the price of gas. The price is sufficiently competitive. It is approximately 3-6% below spot prices on European markets. Since the beginning of the second half, given the comfortable prices on Gazprom's part, we calculate that Naftogaz overpaid $40 million-$70 million for gas. Consumers are paying for the policy that 'we will not buy Russian gas, it's better for us to buy European gas through the European system.' According to my estimates, there will be a small increase, because the formula for the price of gas takes into account oil product prices, crude prices, with a time lag. In connection with the higher price for oil, we see that the gas market overall is recovering. The price level that takes shape on European markets needs to be looked at," he said.