You're reading: Ambassador Zurabov: Russia, Ukraine intensify energy dialogue

MOSCOW - There are grounds for cautious optimism in the Russian-Ukrainian energy dialogue, Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov said in an interview with Izvestia published on Monday.

“I must say that the Russian-Ukrainian energy negotiations have
intensified lately. There are grounds for cautious optimism. The
dialogue goes on, and it is quite different from what it was a month
ago,” he said.

Asked whether the new Verkhovna Rada might influence gas talks with
Russia, the diplomat said there was hardly a way to spur on the talks.

“I do not think that [the Verkhovna Rada] may have a significant
influence on this dialogue. If Russia and Ukraine make some concrete
decisions, we think the Party of Regions will have rather strong
positions at the parliament for backing them up,” he said.