EU and Ukraine Hold Gas Talks in Vienna

Representatives of the EU and Ukraine met today in Vienna to discuss energy security matters and the re-commencement of trilateral discussions with Russia to ensure stable gas supplies to Ukraine and via Ukraine to the EU during winter.

European Commission Vice-President for the Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič met with Ukraine's Minister for Energy and Coal Industries, Mr Vladimir Demchyshyn and Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolyev.

The meeting served as an intermediate step in view of preparing for the next round of trilateral gas negotiations between the European Commission, Russia and Ukraine.  A new “Winter Package ” would cover pricing, guaranteeing volumes for Ukraine’s domestic use and for gas transit as well as the financing required for the purchases.

Šefčovič will meet with Russian representatives on 11 September in Vienna.  

Ukraine announced June 30th the suspension of all Russian gas purchases after earlier EU-mediated negotiations broke down.