Official: Russia can discuss rollover of gas transit deal with Kiev

MOSCOW, Dec 24 (PRIME) -- Russia is ready to negotiate prolongation of gas transit across Ukraine, but it is unclear who will order that gas and on what terms, Director of the Second Department of the CIS in the Foreign Ministry Alexander Polishchuk told PRIME in an interview released on Friday.

"It is clear why the negotiations on transit prolongation can be held only when there is clear understanding, which of the partners will buy Russian gas, in what volumes and on what terms,” the official said.

“The topic of transportation is of secondary importance here."

He added that the contract with Ukraine will expire only in 2024, and Kiev’s insistence on such early negotiations has political goals. 

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