Putin: Russia ready to cut direct gas supplies price to Kiev by 25%

BRASILIA, Nov 15 (PRIME) -- Russia is ready to cut the price of direct gas supplies to Ukraine by 25%, President Vladimir Putin told reporters late Thursday.

“We’ve already said that if we supply directly we are ready to reduce the price by 20%, even by 25%,” Putin said.

He also said that Russia is ready to work with Ukraine on gas transit and deliveries that would be cheaper than reverse supplies.

“We are ready to work with Ukraine on transit of our gas to Europe and on supplies to Ukraine at prices that would be lower than Ukraine pays for Russian gas sent back from Europe,” Putin said.

Speaking about reverse gas supplies to Ukraine from Europe, Putin said this was a complete nonsense.

“I want everyone to understand: no reverse is possible, gas cannot flow halfway into one side, and halfway into the other,” he said.

A risk of disruption of gas transit through Ukraine to Europe persists, but not everything depends on the Russian side, Putin added.

A new suit of Ukrainian energy holding Naftogaz Ukrainy against Russia only aggravates the situation connected with gas talks, the president also said.

Putin called for keeping balance on energy markets, as stability is necessary for the entire global economy.

He also said that gas talks with Belarus are being held on schedule and all issues could be solved by the end of the year.

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