Naftogaz did not break gas talks with Russia, cannot agree to additional conditions for Russian gas transit to Europe – Naftogaz CEO

Kyiv, January 1 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Chairman of NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy's board Oleh Dubyna says the Ukrainian company has not left the gas negotiation process with Russia and is ready to resume the talks with Russia's Gazprom at any time.

"We haven't stopped the negotiation process unilaterally. We're ready to resume the talks at any time and we will continue work," he said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday.

Dubyna reiterated that Naftogaz had paid for consumed Russian gas and that pumped into underground storage facilities in 2008.

In his words, Gazprom asks for the price of gas at $250 per 1,000 cubic meters and insists on the gas transit rate set at $1.7 per 1,000 cubic meters per 100 km, i.e. the transit rate will not change compared to 2008.

"We couldn't agree to that, as this is an additional burden of about $500 million on Naftogaz. Therefore, we've offered a gas price of $235 per 1,000 cubic meters with the transit rate being $1.8. These are the minimum figures we could agree to. Thus, every side remained with its offers," he said.

"Naftogaz is able to provide its own consumers [with gas] and [ensure] gas transit to Europe. However, under the financial situation Ukraine is facing today the price set at $250 is inadmissible, in my belief," Dubyna added.

Answering a question under which conditions he is ready to leave for Moscow to resume the gas talks with Russia, Dubyna answered: "I'd be glad to leave for Moscow if I see that there will be no additional expenses for Naftogaz related to Russian gas transit to Europe."