You're reading: EC says there will be no problems with gas supplies from Russia to Ukraine

Astana -- There will be no problems with gas supplies from Russia to Ukraine thanks to the so-called "winter package," Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Energy Union Maros Sefcovic has said. 

“A few weeks ago we managed to sign this trilateral contract, which we call a ‘winter package,’ because this contract is valid from late November to late March,” he said at a press conference in Astana on Thursday.

He noted that this agreement was being observed by all parties.

“This means that Ukraine has made the first payment, the first part of debt to Russia, this is $1.45 billion. Russia then decided to provide a discount on gas supply at $100 [per 1,000 cubic meters],” Sefcovic said.

“So now we expect that the Ukrainian side will order gas. The Ukrainian side is discussing how much gas is needed before the end of the winter season, and before the end of December Ukraine will pay the second part of this debt. Of course, it would not be possible without financial assistance from the IMF, without financial assistance from the European Union, so we are very carefully looking to ensure that all parties comply with this agreement. So far everything is fine, we are in a narrow, I would say, daily contact with Ukraine, as well as with Russia, and we hope that we will have no problems with gas this winter,” he said.