Novak: Russia won't discuss size of Q3 gas discount; decision already made

15:14, 30.06.2015 1 min read

The Russian side will not discuss the size of the price discount for Ukraine at the next trilateral talks on gas in Vienna, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said ahead of bilateral meetings with European Commission officials that precede the trilateral consultations.

Asked by journalists whether Naftogaz Ukrainy had agreed to the discount of $40 per 1,000 cubic meters voiced by the Russian side, Novak said: "They don't need to accept it. That is the price Gazprom will use to write up the bill, according to Naftogaz's application, volumes, which they must pay for in advance. The Russian government decided the discount. Therefore, no agreement is required."

Asked whether Russia wants to alter the terms of gas deliveries to Ukraine in the third quarter compared with the second, for example, return to a take-or-pay regime, Novak said: "No. We have left everything on the same terms."

A bilateral meeting between Ukraine and the EU is currently underway. Upon its conclusion, a bilateral meeting between Russia and the European Commission will begin.