Ukraine's leader repeats call to review gas deal with Russia
13:24, 19 May 2009
KIEV. May 19. KAZINFORM. Ukraine's president has said he is confident that the "unprofessional" natural gas contracts signed with Russia earlier this year will soon be reviewed, as Ukraine will be unable to meet its obligations under the current terms; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
Russian energy giant Gazprom suspended gas deliveries to Ukraine on January 1 over non-payment, and the sides' failure to reach a new gas deal. A week later, Gazprom accused Ukraine of stealing gas intended for EU consumers, and cut off supplies to the European Union via the country, prompting two weeks of gas shortfalls across much of Eastern Europe.
The standoff was resolved after negotiations between Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshenko resulted in the signing of a new gas agreement for 2009-2019 on January 19.
Under the terms of the new gas deal, Ukraine will pay Russia European market prices - set at $450 per 1,000 cu m for the first quarter - with a 20% discount in 2009, while transit fees fixed under a previous agreement remain unchanged. Yushchenko has repeatedly criticized the deal; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.