Experts of the gas market forecast that Ukraine and the Russian Federation could continue their discussion on the price and amounts of natural gas supplies at the Stockholm Arbitration Court.
"We will see that both Ukraine and, strange as it may seem, the Russian Federation, will file lawsuits to the Stockholm Arbitration Court soon," member of the supervisory board of the Energy Studies Institute, Yuriy Korolchuk, said during a themed express conference in Kyiv on Jan. 13.
According to the energy expert from the Razumkov Center, Volodymyr Olemchenko, Ukraine could appeal to the Stockholm Arbitration Court on the issues of the price of Russian gas, a reduction of amounts of supplies, and change of penalties.
"In turn, Russia will also have to address the Stockholm Arbitration Court to make Ukraine pay penalties for [failing to accept agreed supplies of gas]. Ukraine may file a counter lawsuit," he said.
Energy programs director of the Nomos Center, Mykhailo Honchar, said that Ukraine should suspend the gas negotiations, take a break and find more effective arguments for further discussions.
"[Ukraine] should use the support of the European Union, which is ready to render it. This will strengthen [Ukraine’s] position at future talks," he said.
Experts share the opinion that Ukraine should not agree to Russia’s proposals to set up a gas transport consortium in the 50/50 format.
"Ukraine should refuse to resolve political issues by creating a gas transport consortium. The dialogue should be conducted only in the economic context," Omelchenko said.
In turn, Honchar pointed that a transfer of the gas transport system to the gas transport consortium does not guarantee its stable loading.
"Russia’s economy ministry forecasts reduction of gas exports to Europe next year and this does not depend on the transfer of the gas transport system to any consortium," he said.
According to experts, first of all, it is necessary to reform the gas sphere and put it in line with the rules of the EU, and only after that creation of the gas consortium could be discussed. Otherwise, assets will be underestimated and Ukraine’s dependence on Russia would deepen.
