Ukraine will accept gas supply as Russian compensation payment

Kiev, Nov 25 (Prensa Latina) Ukraine proposed this Monday the possibility of extending the Russian gas transit agreement through its territory for one year , if Gazprom company complies with European standards and agrees to pay compensation with supplies of that fuel.

Given Gazprom's proposal to sign an agreement for the transit of Russian gas through the Ukrainian gas pipeline system, Naftogaz Director Yuri Vitrienko indicated that a new arrangement must arise from tripartite talks among Russia, Ukraine and the European Union (EU).

Vitrienko insisted on the payment by Gazprom of compensation of almost three billion dollars, although he would be willing to receive that money through a gas supply equivalent to that amount.

The director assured that before the end of this year, Ukraine will be able to certify the creation of a new company to operate the National Gas Pipeline System, outside Naftogaz, as required by the European Commission.

Kiev filed a complaint last year to a European appeals court, instead of paying its debt to Gazprom of three billion dollars and finally won a legal dispute that forced the Russian gas company to pay $2.5 billion.

In addition, Ukraine requests a fine against Gazprom for six billion dollars, for violating anti-trust regulations, and at least 11.5 billion dollars for alleged losses caused by the start-up of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

The aforementioned gas pipeline would take 55 billion cubic meters of gas from Russian terminals to German concentrators, across the Baltic Sea.

Experts believe that although Russia has the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Yamal-Russia and the Blue Stream gas pipeline, these are not yet enough to replace the gas flow through Ukraine to the EU.