Ukraine to get 20-percent discount on Russian gas in 2009

MOSCOW, January 18 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told reporters after the talks with Ukrainian premier Yulia Timoshenko that at the talks, the sides “managed to reach an understanding that trade in gas between Russia and Ukraine will be fully transferred to the European formula of pricing”.

“The sides reached an understanding that in 2009, Ukrainian partners will be granted a 20-percent discount under condition of preserving a preferential tariff of pumping Russian gas to European consumers via Ukraine in 2009 at the 2008 price of this pumping,” the Russian premier said. Thus, Ukraine can purchase gas from Russia in 2009 at the European price minus 20 percent.

According to Putin, they also agreed with Timoshenko that “starting from January 1, 2010, we shall fully switch over to pricing and forming tariffs of pumping in full conformity with European standards without any cuts and discounts”. “Both for transit and for gas price,” he emphasised.

Putin also stated, referring to a statement by the Ukrainian side that an understanding was reached on resuming gas transit to European consumers in the near future.

In turn, Ukrainian premier noted that the two heads of government gave instructions to the Gazprom and Naftogaz executives “to draft the entire package of documents by Monday and fill out everything as it was agreed on Sunday at the talks. Besides, all flows of gas transit to Europe will be re-started right after the signing of all documents on gas transit and on gas purchase”.

“I believe,” Timoshenko continued, “that this day has passed fruitfully enough, and the summit that was gathered, has yielded its results, and all mutual understandings have been found.”