Kiev negotiates a winter package with Russia and EC

Ongoing negotiations between Ukraine, Russia and the EC about a new winter package are nothing like last year

But with very little gas in store as winter nears, Kiev needs to agree terms. After last year’s war of statements and hints about problems with gas transit in winter, Kiev and Moscow are now corresponding mostly on the question of price. Sometimes they even praise their opponent for taking a constructive approach, making a refreshing change. The price of winter supplies remains the stumbling point though. According to energy minister Vladimir Demchishin, Kiev’s position is the same – Naftogaz is ready to pay “European market price” minus $32/’000cm – the cost of transiting Russian gas through Ukraine. The price of Russian supplies for the fourth quarter, in accordance with the contract of 20