EU hopeful of gas deal between Ukraine and Russia
The EU’s energy commissioner is hopeful of a deal between Ukraine and Russia to end their dispute over gas deliveries after three-way talks in Berlin.
Guenther Oettinger outlined a plan which would see Russia supply Ukraine over the winter and into the spring.
Ukraine would pay Russia $2bn (£1.2bn) of its gas debt by the end of October and another $1.1bn by the year’s end.
The talks will continue next week. Russia halted supplies in June over Ukraine’s unpaid debts.
Relations had soured after the overthrow of Ukraine’s pro-Russian President, Viktor Yanukovych, in February and Russia’s subsequent support for separatists in Crimea and other Ukrainian regions.
Friday’s talks came after Hungary cut its gas deliveries to Ukraine, arguing that it needed to stock up its reserves.
Hungary was criticised by the European Commission but argued that it could not risk being cut off by Russia before winter set in.
Guenther Oettinger outlined a plan which would see Russia supply Ukraine over the winter and into the spring.
Ukraine would pay Russia $2bn (£1.2bn) of its gas debt by the end of October and another $1.1bn by the year’s end.
The talks will continue next week. Russia halted supplies in June over Ukraine’s unpaid debts.
Relations had soured after the overthrow of Ukraine’s pro-Russian President, Viktor Yanukovych, in February and Russia’s subsequent support for separatists in Crimea and other Ukrainian regions.
Friday’s talks came after Hungary cut its gas deliveries to Ukraine, arguing that it needed to stock up its reserves.
Hungary was criticised by the European Commission but argued that it could not risk being cut off by Russia before winter set in.
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