“A big gas agreement is coming between Ukraine and Russia”: Kyiv sources
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is beginning to form the public opinion that the authorities need on the issue of direct supplies of Russian gas to Ukraine, a PolitNavigaitor correspondent reports.
This conclusion is made by the Klymenko Time telegram channel, analyzing the rhetoric of the relevant Minister of Energy Orzhel and President Zelensky himself on the gas issue.
“Not the first, but significant sign is the statement of the Minister of Energy and Environmental Protection Alexey Orzhel that the Cabinet of Ministers can develop a mechanism according to which potential discounts on Gazprom gas for possible direct supplies to Ukraine from 2020 will be “withdrawn” and sent for the implementation of socially important events,” the message says.
“If we have a reduced price - it is potentially possible that we will have direct supplies at a discount from the east - we will try to take this discount, give the market price to the market, and use the discount itself through the budget or through any other tools to cover subsidies or other socially important measures,” Klymenko Time quotes the Ukrainian minister.
“We translate into simple language: “We are ready to purchase Russian gas directly. The funds saved thanks to Gazprom's discount will go to you, Ukrainians, including for subsidies. So support the idea,” says the Kiev telegram channel.
Klymenko Time also recalls that both the government and Naftogaz previously announced the goal of signing a long-term contract with Gazprom for transporting Russian gas through Ukraine. And today, Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself made the announcement. As PolitNavigator reported , the Ukrainian leader said in Estonia, "We discussed the issue (during a conversation with Vladimir Putin on November 25 – Ed.) that the year is ending, and we all need to agree on signing a new long-term gas contract, a transit contract. This is a priority for us, and not just for Ukraine; it's about energy security for all of Europe."
“There is information that the Ukrainian and Russian sides are preparing a tete-a-tete meeting between the two leaders at the Normandy Four summit. And there the gas issue will be a priority. Theoretically, Ukraine is really ready to make direct purchases of Russian fuel from Gazprom, presenting this step as a compromise and demanding in return a long-term contract for the transportation of Russian gas. And while the same Vitrenko from Naftogaz plays the role of a “bad cop” with his statements, in the relevant ministry he shows much more compromise options,” the Telegram channel shares an insider.
“A big gas agreement is coming between Ukraine and Russia. Now all this is becoming completely obvious and can be seen even with the naked eye,” Klymenko Time optimistically summarizes.
Odessa blogger and editor-in-chief of the online publication “Timer” Yuri Tkachev agrees with the conclusions of the Kyiv telegram channel.
“It strongly looks like at the meeting of the Normandy Four Zelensky will be forced to accept Russian conditions for gas transit. Well, in general (for Ukraine) this is good,” he believes.
English version :: Read in English "A major gas agreement between Ukraine and Russia is coming": Kyiv sources