"The Belarusian scenario" is ruled out in the gas talks with Russia, Ukraine's Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Boiko has said.
"The Ukrainian president’s firm position is that whatever structure is built, it must be based on the parity principles. So, there will not be either a Naftogaz – Gazprom merger, or any kind of Belarusian scenario. This is Ukraine’s position," Boiko said in an interview with the government newspaper Uriadovy Kurier.
"The Belarusian scenario – surrender the pipe and we will lower the price, which Russia has offered Ukraine – will not pass," he said.
The price is the main negotiating moment. "There are two positions – the price and the guarantees of transit across our territory," Boiko said.
