European Commission is Disappointed by Gas Talks

Kyiv is ready for gas talks, but Russia is not ready to make concessions, Sefcovic said. The European Union’s energy chief Maros Sefcovic  said he was disappointed with the outcome of gas talks between the European Union, Russia and Ukraine, TASS reported on Monday, October 28. “I am disappointed with today’s outcome and I say this openly. I prepared the meeting so that if there was political will, there could be positive progress,” he said. The European Commission also called on Russia and Ukraine to sign an agreement on gas transit as soon as possible and to organize a new tripartite meeting as soon as possible. Sefcovic noted that the Russian delegation is not ready to make concessions at gas consultations. He added that Kyiv is ready for gas talks, including direct purchases of Russian gas and a settlement agreement on litigation. According to the deputy European Union’s energy chief, the new Ukrainian gas transmission operator is likely to be formed before the end of the year. In turn, Ukrainian Energy Minister Oleksiy Orzhel expressed hope to sign a new gas transit agreement with Russia before the end of this year. “We hope that we sign this agreement before the end of the year and ensure stable supplies to European consumers,” he said. Korrespondent