Source: EU sees no final deal in Russia-Ukraine gas talks Friday

BRUSSELS, Mar 19 (PRIME) -- The European Commission does not expect that a final agreement on a so-called summer package of gas supplies will be reached during negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the E.U. on Friday, a source close to the leadership of the European Commission told reporters on Thursday.

The commission expects to hear positions of the sides concerning gas supplies and volume of gas needed for Ukraine.

The current Russian-Ukrainian contract, the so-called winter package, expires on March 31. Russian gas giant Gazprom does not want to adjust terms of the existing contract, but Prime Minister Medvedev said that a discount should be discussed.

The price of Russian gas for Ukraine amounted to U.S. $329 per 1,000 cubic meters in January–March. Without a discount, the price would stand at $350–360 per 1,000 cubic meters, but Ukraine plans to insist on much lower prices.

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