Yurii Prodan: There are no formal obstacles to resume the Russian gas supplies

Minister of Fuel and Energy Yurii Prodan states that there are no obstacles between Ukraine and Russia to resume the Russian gas supplies. He stated reporting in the Parliament.

Yurii Prodan noted that Ukrainian side keeps on negotiating with the Russian Federation on concluding gas supplies and transit contracts in 2009 which is based on already achieved agreements. In particular, the Minister said that Government continues to insist on signing direct, transparent contracts and predictable transfer to the market approaches of the price formation for gas and transit.

The Minister of Fuel and Energy noted that for today the Russian side had deviated from agreements achieved in the Memorandum, signed on October 2, 2008 by heads of governments of Ukraine and Russia. Yurii Prodan believes to resolve this crisis a wider circle of participants should be attracted to the dialogue of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, in particular, the European Union. He noted that European side has confirmed that “it will take part in the conclusion of long-term agreements”.

Besides, the Minister of Fuel and Energy stated that situation at home market of the country is stable. Thus, according to Yurii Prodan, heat power plants for electric energy production instead of the gas use in full the alternative kind of fuel - black oil. But, as the Minister says the situation is aggravated by the state of payments of the regions. In particular, the city authorities of Kyiv do not compensate a tariff difference which amounts about UAH 700 mln, “The Kyiv authorities are responsible for debts,” Yurii Prodan noted.