Official: Russia, EU, Ukraine reach gas transit deal in principle

BERLIN, Dec 20 (PRIME) -- Russia, Ukraine, and the E.U. have reached a principal agreement on Russian gas transit through the territory of Ukraine to Europe, European Commission’s Vice President Maros Sefcovic told reporters late on Thursday.

“After these intensive negotiations, it is pleasant to say that we’ve reached an agreement in principle on all the key elements and parameters. I think that it is a very good and positive piece of news for Europe, for Russia, for Ukraine, and for citizens of all states,” he said, adding that the sides would not disclose any details right now as the deal is yet to be studied in capitals of the states.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that the sides have prepared a draft detailed protocol of the gas deal and hope to reach final agreements very soon, while Ukrainian energy Minister Alexei Orzhel said that the sides did good work on the protocol and that the countries should reach final agreement soon.

Sergei Makogon, CEO of Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine, said that the company would have a technical meeting with Gazprom this Saturday, while a representative of Russian gas giant Gazprom said that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine would continue on Friday in Minsk, where Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller would represent the company.

Novak also told reporters that a next official meeting of Ukraine and Russia over the gas transit should happen very soon.

The current supply and transit contracts between Russia and Ukraine expire at the end of 2019.

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