Ukrainian PM orders to probe ministry over power deal with Russia

KIEV, Jan 21 (PRIME) -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk on Wednesday ordered to launch an investigation of a power supply contract signed by the Energy Ministry with Russia in late 2014.

“On the contracts on imports and exports of electric power that were signed by Ukrainian companies – I’m giving an order to start an internal investigation of operations of the Energy Ministry’s officials when signing the contracts...,” he said, adding that he expected a relevant report to be done within 10 days.

Yatsenyuk accused the Energy Ministry of violating Ukraine’s interests when power company Ukrinterenergo signed a supply deal with Russian power holding Inter RAO.

Yatsenyuk expressed his discontent with the fact that under the contract Russia can unilaterally increase the price of electric power for Ukraine, while Crimea will enjoy a fixed tariff, which is 15% lower than the current tariff.

Also, under the contract, Ukraine will receive electric power from Russia if it fully provides Crimea and the Donbass region with electric power.

Yatsenyuk also asked Energy Minister Vladimir Demchishin to explain some provisions of the contract that recognize Crimea as part of Russia.

Demchishin said he believed that the contract’s terms were beneficial for Ukraine and allowed the country to avoid power cuts from the end of December.

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