You're reading: Tymoshenko to ask EU to examine gas contracts signed in 2009

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister and Batkivschyna Party leader Yulia Tymoshenko is planning to ask the European Union to examine the gas contracts signed by Ukraine and Russia in 2009.

"I will definitely appeal to the European Union to examine all gas contracts signed by me," she said in an interview with the Focus magazine published on Friday.

"I’m sure that all of the gas contracts signed in 2009 are effective," Tymoshenko said.

She noted that the removal of a gas intermediary in relations between Ukraine and Russia – gas trader RosUkrEnergo – had made it possible to reach agreement to increase the gas transit rate by 70% from January 1, 2010.

"I ensured that [Ukrainian President Viktor] Yanukovych and his government get $3 billion a year from Russia as payment for [gas] transit! At the same time, Europe paid $500 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas, and we managed to sign a package agreement with Moscow and get gas at a price of $228. The gas price was lower only in Belarus," she said.

In April 2011, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office opened a third criminal case against Tymoshenko concerning her exceeding her authority and abusing office in signing gas contracts in 2009. The case was opened under Part 3 of Article 365 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. It has been claimed that the actions of the former premier caused losses to the state worth UAH 1.5 billion.