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Gazprom prepares to hold gas talks in Kiev

14 June 2014 20:47 (UTC +04:00)

The top natural gas producer in Russia is ready for another round of talks in Kiev, Gazprom spokesperson Sergei Kupriyanov said on Saturday.

“We are ready to seek compromise, but it is useless to put pressure on us,” Kupriyanov warned.

Meanwhile on Friday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has ordered gas organizations and companies to be ready for the possibility of Moscow cutting off its gas supplies on Monday over disputed bills.

Also on Friday, Russia’s Energy Ministry declared that it does not intend to hold new gas supply talks with either Ukraine or the European Union before Moscow's June 16 deadline to cut off energy supplies unless Kiev pays USD 1.95 billion - part of its debt to Russia for gas supplies.

The latest round of EU-mediated talks on June 11 failed after Ukraine refused Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer of the “final price” of USD 385 per 1,000 cubic meters.

Ukraine says the Kremlin increased the price after the former president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted in February. Kiev calls the move politically motivated, but Russian authorities reject the claim.

According to Gazprom, Ukraine’s total gas debt stands at USD 5.2 billion, with its last month’s consumption included.

Russia provides about half of Ukraine’s and 30 percent of Europe’s total gas demand with major pipelines in the Ukrainian territory.