“As expected, they did not reach the negotiations - the Russian side has not yet accepted the consolidated position of the European and Ukrainian side, the refusal to implement the decision of the Stockholm arbitration cannot be a prerequisite for the start of negotiations on a new transit contract,” Vitrenko said.
He said that “the time until the completion of the contract is running out, but negotiations have not begun,” and therefore, in his opinion, Ukraine “must continue to prepare for the termination of transit from January 1”.
On September 19, trilateral gas transit negotiations were held in Brussels with the participation of representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the European Commission.
Commenting on the results of the negotiations, Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak noted that they were constructive.
According to him, Ukrainian partners expressed interest in continuing to work from January 1, 2020.
He also said that the Russian side was ready to prove to Ukraine that direct deliveries of Russian gas would be more economical and more efficient for it.