Russia considering bipartite consortium to manage Ukrainian gas transportation system - ambassador
KYIV. Dec 21 (Interfax) - Russia is considering the possibility of establishing a consortium for managing the Ukrainian gas transportation system on a bilateral basis, Russian Ambassador to Kyiv Mikhail Zurabov said.
"I do not think that the matter should imply a tripartite consortium now. I suppose the matter implies cooperation in a bilateral format in this particular case," Zurabov said in reply to a question from journalists regarding formats of the Ukrainian gas transportation system's management that Russia is considering now.
Ukraine and Russia are discussing ways to make sure that the Ukrainian gas transportation system is sufficiently loaded, he said.
If the negotiations touch upon the issue of "redistribution of assets," the parties could discuss a lower price for Russian gas, he said.
"Surely, this lowering of the price does not imply a figure comparable to what Ukraine would have if it decided to more deeply integrate into the Customs Union," he said.
However, the discount could still be quite significant and "may radically change the economic situation in Ukraine," he said.
"I know this figure, but certainly cannot say it," he said.