Kremlin reviewing date for gas talks
MOSCOW, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The date of the next round of trilateral gas talks between Russia, Ukraine and the European Union will be announced this week, the Kremlin said.
Trilateral negotiators are reviewing a package proposed in September meant to address Ukraine's mounting debt for gas while ensuring European consumers have adequate winter supplies.
"On Oct. 7, we will agree on the date of the next trilateral meeting," Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Sunday.
Ukraine under the terms of the proposal would pay off its $3.1 billion in debt to Russian energy company Gazprom, which in turn would offer a discounted price to its Ukrainian counterpart, Naftogaz.
Gazprom would continue with a protocol calling on Ukraine to pay in advance for its natural gas.
Russia meets about 20 percent of European natural gas demand, though 80 percent of the volume sent to Europe runs through the Soviet-era transit network in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Prime Miniser Arseniy Yatsenyuk said during meetings last week with European officials his government "deeply concerned about the erosion of European energy security," but said Russia had its share of the blame.
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Kremlin reviewing date for gas talks