Russia unexpectedly "offers" to the EU regarding the gas pipeline through Ukraine, Kiev states a clear stance

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Novak said that his country is ready to negotiate with the European Union (EU) on gas supplies when the transit agreement with Ukraine expires at the end of this year.

Russia unexpectedly 'offers' to the EU regarding the gas pipeline through Ukraine. (Source: DW)

Under a five-year contract signed by Moscow and Kiev in 2019, Russia exports gas to Europe via Ukraine and pays Kiev for the use of its pipeline network. The contract continues to apply despite the Russia-Ukraine conflict that began in February 2022.

“If the EU wants, we are ready to negotiate. So far, no such desire has been expressed,” said Deputy Prime Minister Novak.

* Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal told his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico that Kiev has no intention of extending the contract for Russian gas transit through the country.

The above information was told by the Press Office of the Government of Ukraine to the Ekonomicheskaya Pravda newspaper.

"The Ukrainian side's position is clear: the transit contract expires at the end of this year, we will not negotiate with Russia and extend the agreement. The Ukrainian Prime Minister told his Slovak counterpart about that," the newspaper quoted a spokesman for the press office as saying.

The Ukrainian Prime Minister's statement came after a video address by his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico.

Prime Minister Fico said that after bilateral talks with Prime Minister Shmygal, the two sides reached an agreement on the possibility of continuing to transport Russian gas through Ukraine to Slovakia in particular.

"Russian gas can also continue to be transported to Slovakia. Factories in Slovakia as well as in Austria and Italy will benefit from this," Prime Minister Fico stressed.

On the EU side, the bloc is reportedly preparing to rule out the possibility of extending the agreement between Kiev and Moscow on gas transit.

The European Commission argues that even countries most dependent on Russian gas supplies, such as Austria and Slovakia, would be able to find alternative sources in the event of a cut-off, sources said.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nga-bat-ngo-ngo-loi-voi-eu-lien-quan-den-duong-ong-dan-khi-dot-qua-ukraine-kiev-neu-lap-truong-ro-rang-259146.html