The decision of Russia to hold talks between Gazprom and national joint-stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy on the transit of Russian natural gas via Ukraine after 2019 when the current contract expires is linked to the hearing of a dispute on the contract in the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, Business Development Director at Naftogaz Ukrainy Yuriy Vitrenko has said.
“This means that we’re on the right way… Once again I thank our large team of lawyers and experts!” he wrote on his Facebook page on June 26.
Naftogaz Ukrainy and the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry have not yet officially commented on the issue.
Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said at a press conference that Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed that talks should be held with Ukraine on gas transit after 2019.
Gazprom is not rejecting the talks, Miller said, but the terms of Ukrainian gas transit do not suit the company: Naftogaz Ukrainy wants to increase the transit rate from $2.7 to $5 per 1,000 cubic meters per 100 kilometers.
Earlier, Russia had repeatedly stated that it would not extend the transit contract with Ukraine after 2019, while gas to Europe will be supplied using transit routes.
Naftogaz and Gazprom signed their gas transit contract in 2009 until 2019. Some provisions of the contract are being challenged in the Stockholm arbitration court on Ukraine’s initiative.
