You're reading: Naftogaz, EU confirm readiness to trilateral gas talks involving Russia

Naftogaz Ukrainy and the European Union confirm their readiness to renew trilateral gas talks involving Russia, Naftogaz's press service reported on Friday.

Ukrainian delegates led by Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolev on June 20 attended a meeting of the EU coordination group on gas issues in Brussels following which representatives of the European Commission and leading EU energy companies were informed about the situation in gas relations with Russia, the press service said. The Ukrainian side also confirmed its readiness to continue the gas talks in the trilateral format.

“The Ukrainian side once again confirmed its readiness to remain a reliable transit operator to transport Russian gas to Europe, which is confirmed by regular gas shipments to the EU via Ukraine’s territory. NJSC Naftogaz continues fulfilling its contractual obligations despite the Russian gas monopolist’s decision as of June 16, 2014, to switch Ukraine to the pre-payment mode and suspend gas shipments to Ukrainian consumers,” the press service said.

The Ukrainian delegation also provided the European gas group with expert conclusions regarding the condition of the Ukrainian gas transport system and its capability of ensuring smooth and reliable transit shipments of Russian natural gas to European consumers.

Representatives of the coordination group said they treat actions by the Ukrainian side in the negotiations with Russia’s OAO Gazprom with understanding and expressed support for measures taken by Ukraine to maintain Europe’s energy security