Russia to attend gas talks with EU, Ukraine
Russian officials have confirmed that they will attend negotiations with the European Union and Ukraine to resolve an ongoing dispute on Moscow’s natural gas deliveries to Kiev.
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Friday that he will attend trilateral talks slated for March 2 in the Belgian capital of Brussels.
"I have confirmed my participation and we plan to discuss the range of issues involving our relations in Brussels,” Novak said.
Last week, Moscow threatened it would cut gas supplies to Ukraine if no payments are made by Kiev in due time. The pledge seriously worried the European countries as a third of EU’s energy need is supplied by Russia, half of which is transited through Ukraine.
Novak, however, said that Russia may even cut gas supplies before Monday if payments are not made.
“According to information from Gazprom, the Ukrainian side has transferred $15 million, but that amount has not yet reached Gazprom,” he said.
“If payment is received now, tomorrow or before Monday, then the volumes will be delivered,” Novak added.
Officials in Kiev have also confirmed they will attend the trilateral meeting with Energy Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn (pictured below) heading the Kiev’s delegation.
The talks on Monday could see an interim agreement between the three sides guaranteeing the supply of the vital source of energy to the EU and Ukraine despite growing tensions over an armed conflict in east Ukraine.
Russia also started supplying gas to war-ravaged Donetsk region in east Ukraine after the government in Kiev decided to cut off gas to the area. Russian President Vladimir Putin harshly reacted to the move, saying it “bears the hallmarks of genocide”. Kiev denied any wrongdoing, saying that the decision came after continued fighting caused damage to a pipeline near Donetsk.
Gazprom, Russia’s giant gas company, has also demanded additional payments for the gas deliveries to Donetsk.
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