Ukraine-Russia-EU meeting on gas planned between June 26, 29 - Ukrainian minister
KYIV. June 17 (Interfax) - Trilateral negotiations on gas between the energy ministers of Ukraine and Russia and European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic should be held between June 26 and 29, Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn told journalists on Wednesday.
The meeting should take place "somewhere between June 26 and 29, and it's being clarified now," he said.
The negotiators plan to extend the effect of a protocol under which Ukraine is currently buying gas from Russia until the end of the first quarter of 2016, Demchyshyn said.
Russia tried to indirectly oblige Ukraine to purchase a certain amount of gas by stipulating the volume of gas it should accumulate for the heating period in the contract, but Ukraine objected to this, he said.
Ukraine wants to buy Russian gas at a market price, Demchyshyn said. In line with the protocol on purchases of Russian gas, Ukraine is entitled to a 30% discount if the gas price is lower than $330 per 1,000 cubic meters.
"We understand that the price is lower than $300, then there should be a 30%" discount, he said.
The prices at which Ukraine is currently buying gas from Russia and from European countries are comparable, he said.
