Minister: Ukraine to discuss new gas protocol with Russia Mar

KIEV, Feb 12 (PRIME) -- Ukraine expects a visit of European Commission’s Vice President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic in March, who will intermediate in negotiations with Russia regarding gas supply terms for April–September, Energy Minister Vladimir Demchishin told reporters late Thursday.

“We will talk about the second and the third quarters… The Russians will most probably argue that we are not buying (gas from Gazprom at the moment) and there is no sense in the new document, such discussion will take place,” Demchishin said.

“I think that we certainly must prolong it (gas agreement) because this is not only the possibility to control but also to attract European partners for force majeures which can occur. It will be a comfortable combination.”

The official also said that the gas price is so volatile that it is now too early to discuss any arrangements for October–December.

The Ukrainian Energy Ministry expects gas reserves at 9 billion cubic meters at the end of the heating season in April, Demchishin said.

Ukraine will not need Russian gas this heating season, he said. “We will get by this heating season, we do not need to buy Russian gas this heating season. Next year, there is a big chance that we will not need it either.”

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