Ukraine and Russia are conducting dialogue in connection with the intention of Naftogaz Ukraine to reduce the amount of Russian gas it purchases, Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov said.
However, he believes it will not come to lawsuits in this situation.
The diplomat reiterated that Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov seriously discussed energy issues with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev during his visit to Moscow.
“One of the issues raised in the negotiations is Ukraine’s obligation to take a certain amount of Russian gas […] We now expect Ukraine to import some 27-28 billion cubic meters of gas,” Zurabov said after laying down flowers on the grave of Pyotr Stolypin in Kyiv on Thursday.
At the same time, the ambassador said: “Negotiations are going on. I think this matter can be resolved out of court.”
Zurabov said the current dialogue between Ukraine and Russia on gas issues is considerably different from the dialogue the two countries had on the matter a month ago. “Dialogue is going on. It seems to me its content is seriously different from what it was just a month ago at this stage,” he said.
Responding to a question as to how the new composition of the parliament may influence the intensification of the Ukrainian-Russian dialogue on gas supply, the ambassador said: “I don’t think the parliament can influence the intensification of the energy dialogue. I assume that if the Russian Federation and Ukraine reach agreements in this sphere, the positions of the Party of Regions in the parliament are enough to ensure that this decision is backed.”
“However, that will happen if the changes are needed to amend the current legislation or, for example, for appropriate approval of some international treaty,” Zurabov said.
Last week, Ukrainian Energy and Mining Minister Yuriy Boiko said Naftogaz Ukraine will buy 26 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia’s Gazprom in 2012.
According to earlier reports, Ukraine is not happy with the price of the gas it is buying from Russia under a contract signed in 2009 and is considering reducing the amount of gas purchased from Russia for this reason.
The Russian authorities believe the reduction of the purchases to the volumes stated by Ukraine contradicts the current contract and say the matter may have to be resolved in court.
According to earlier reports, Naftogaz Deputy Chairman Vadym Chuprun said the company will buy 27.5 billion cubic meters of gas from Gazprom in 2012 and the amount of gas purchased from Russia will likely be reduced to 20 billion cubic meters in 2013.
Naftogaz Ukraine imported Russian gas at a price of some $416 per 1,000 cubic meters in the first quarter of 2012, some $425 per 1,000 cubic meters in the second quarter of 2012, some $426 per 1,000 cubic meters in the third quarter of 2012 and some $430 per 1,000 cubic meters in the fourth quarter of 2012.
