17 Apr 2010 16:12

Moscow, Kyiv discussing discount on gas price

MURMANSK. April 17 (Interfax) - Moscow and Kyiv are discussing a possible discount on the price for the gas supplied from Russia to Ukraine in exchange for Russia's involvement in some projects in Ukraine.

"The Ukrainian economy is through a difficult period, and one of the options we are discussing is a possible discount [on the gas price]," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin told journalists in Murmansk on Saturday.

Ukraine is offering various options for cooperation in exchange, Sechin said. In particular, Russia could take part in hydropower and nuclear power generation projects in Ukraine, he said.

"There are strategic interests and a lot of other things," Sechin said.

Russian and Ukrainian delegations are continuing negotiations on a draft government decree, which should be finalized in the near future, after which the negotiating parties should present a report to the Russian prime minister, Sechin said.