European Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger has not confirmed if the EU was ready to help Ukraine pay for its debt and for supplies of Russian gas.
Before gas talks began on Oct. 29, journalists asked Oettinger if there was any information on a bridge loan for Ukraine. “Yes, I have [information]. I’ll share it afterwards. First for my colleagues from both parties,” he said.
Oettinger said two-sided talks were now beginning between the EC and Ukraine, after which the EC would meet with a Russian delegation before holding three-sided talks. “Today is our next and I hope last three-sided meeting,” he said.
Oettinger added that there were three questions, the first of which concerned price and the price formula: “What’s the appropriate price, what price formula is appropriate in order to arrive at a price based on the market.”
The second question concerns how to help Ukraine pay for new gas imports. “This is 3-4 billion cubic meters in 2014, and there’s an option for additional volumes if needed in the beginning of 2015,” he said. The third question, Oettinger said, concerned the structure of protocols and agreements that the parties will sign as part of the winter package.
“We are now beginning [negotiations]. We will be able to give you information as soon as it arises,” he said ahead of the talks.
