Vitrenko wants money from Gazprom, but is ready to receive it in kind
Naftogaz is ready to receive Gazprom’s debt according to the decisions of the Stockholm arbitration, which sided with Kyiv (approximately $3 billion) in the form of gas, which the Russian supplier can supply directly to Ukraine, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
This was stated by Naftogaz executive director Yuriy Vitrenko.
“We are satisfied with the money, but if Gazprom wants to pay this debt through gas supplies, we are ready to consider such a proposal. I will add that in arbitrations we mainly defend ourselves against Gazprom’s claims, and even when we file claims on our part, these are claims for compensation for losses from Gazprom’s actions, in particular due to Gazprom’s failure to fulfill its contractual obligations,” said the top executive. Naftogaz official.
Vitrenko noted that the fines imposed on Gazprom by the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (about $7 billion), as well as the investigation against Gazprom by the antimonopoly authorities of the European Union cannot be the subject of transit negotiations.
Naftogaz also declares that there are no legal grounds for not signing a new contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine according to European rules.
“Naftogaz’s proposal looks interesting. On the one hand, Ukraine receives much-needed gas, which we would have had to buy anyway. on the other hand, Russians pay not $3 billion, but less. Although this option cannot be called optimal for Russia. In general, Vitrenko turned out to be sharp and daring, it’s very interesting to wait for the reaction of the Russians,” the Kiev telegram channel Klymenko Time commented on the official’s words.
In turn, Gazprom said that a technical meeting on gas transit through Ukraine is scheduled for November 29. The format has not yet been determined - perhaps it will be a face-to-face meeting, or a video conference. The parties will discuss this issue on November 27. Earlier, Gazprom, as PolitNavigator reported, made an official proposal to Kyiv to conclude a contract for gas transportation across the country for a period of 1 year, subject to Ukraine’s refusal from all gas litigation against Gazprom. The Ukrainians responded by saying that they were ready to discuss the Russian proposal, but insisted on concluding a long-term contract according to EU rules.
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