First meeting: what is known about the upcoming talks between Putin and Zelensky in Paris

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky after negotiations in the Norman format. This was told by the assistant to the head of the Russian Federation Yuri Ushakov.

“The meeting will be held after the completion of all events ... The organizers set the format of the meeting itself, and it turned out that a convenient time after all these events, after the meeting of the Quartet,” he said.

Recall that on Monday, December 9, the summit of the "Norman Four" - Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France, is being held in Paris. As Ushakov noted, the meeting between Putin and Zelensky has no time limits.

The main topic that the presidents will discuss will be the implementation of the Minsk agreements, said Ushakov. However, he did not specify whether the gas issue would be discussed.

“First of all, the implementation of the Minsk agreements,” RIA Novosti quoted the assistant to the president of Russia.

At the same time, the Kremlin is feeling cautious optimism before this meeting, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted earlier. He noted that earlier the presidents have repeatedly talked on the phone and "it was constructive communication."

“Yes, there is very cautious optimism, very cautious optimism,” Peskov said in an interview with Rain. “If the same constructive dialogue is continued during the face-to-face meeting, this will create the prerequisites for easier access to decisions that concern both sides.”

The Ukrainian side claims that they will discuss issues of settlement in the Donbass from the position of Kiev.

“A complete and permanent ceasefire, our control over the border of a single indivisible state, disarmament and withdrawal of illegal armed groups, local elections according to our legislation are the main elements of the position for tomorrow. It doesn’t matter at a common negotiating table or one-on-one, ”wrote Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadim Priestayko on Twitter.

Repeatedly and permanently pinch my bones, our control over the cordon of the United Independent Power, the rozbroєnnya and the introduction of illegal unlawful forms, the majority of our legislation are the main elements of the position for tomorrow. It’s not important, at a dormitory table of a conversation tête-à-tête

The State Duma hopes that this meeting will lead to further improvement of relations between the countries.

“I will say this, I would like these negotiations to contribute to improving relations. It’s hard to say what’s going to happen there, ”said Andrei Klimov, deputy chairman of the Federation Council committee on international affairs, head of the commission for the protection of state sovereignty.

“Ukrainian transit is still relevant”

Peskov previously admitted that at a meeting between Putin and Zelensky the topic of transit of Russian gas through Ukraine would be discussed. The current contract expires on December 31 and the parties are negotiating for its extension, but so far no agreement has been reached. According to Andrei Manoilo, doctor of political sciences, professor at Moscow State University, we should expect this topic to be raised.

“I think that gas issues will be discussed in any case. Ukrainian transit is still relevant, ”he told RT.

France and Germany, who are interested in continuing the transit of Russian gas, will also push Ukraine to negotiations on this topic, said Alexei Mukhin, director general of the Center for Political Information.

“Gas transportation will certainly be discussed. Because France and Germany are vitally interested in maintaining transit through Ukraine. This is their obligation to the Kiev regime, therefore, of course, they will work out this topic, ”he said in an interview with RT.

Negotiations on a new treaty are complicated by the disagreement of the parties on some issues. The parties did not disclose the details of the process, however, from public statements it is known that one of the key contradictions is the current claims of Russian Gazprom and Ukrainian Naftogaz to each other.

So, according to the requirements of Ukraine, a Russian company must pay about $ 3 billion - the Stockholm arbitration made a corresponding verdict. However, Gazprom considers this decision unfair and disputes it.

The Russian side proposes to mutually abandon all legal disputes and claims before concluding a new agreement. Kiev opposes this and offers an alternative payment scheme - with the help of direct deliveries of Russian gas, the price of which will amount to $ 3 billion.

“It is impossible to agree on gas and at the same time say:“ You know what, you still pay us money for any court decisions. ” Therefore, whether they want it or not, it is obvious that in this case it is necessary to come to some kind of zero option, ”said Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Previously, Gazprom has repeatedly noted that buying gas from them directly, Ukraine will be able to reduce the cost of this energy resource for its population by 25%.

As Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak noted, such a mechanism is “this is the subject of discussion in the whole package of agreements.”

“I’m not ready to comment on the mechanism now, it’s too early to talk about it. This will be agreed between the companies in the first place. We must agree, ”RIA Novosti quoted the minister as saying.