Putin and Merkel discussed Ukrainian crisis and the supply of Russian gas to Europe
The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, and the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, had a telephone conversation during which both leaders discussed the supply of Russian gas to European consumers via Ukraine, as well as the Ukrainian crisis, the Kremlin’s website reported.
According to the report, Putin stated that he is concerned that Ukraine has been evading the coordination of agreements on purchases of gas from Russia during this winter season. The Russian President believes that this evasion poses a threat to gas transit to Europe. Within the context of peaceful settlement of the internal Ukrainian conflict, Putin and Merkel stressed the need to intensify efforts for comprehensive implementation of Minsk Agreements.
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The Russian President noted that current situation requires peace in the Donbas, the lifting of the socio-economic blockade imposed against the region and the establishment of a direct dialogue between Kyiv, Donetsk and Luhansk. The parties also agreed to intensify bilateral contacts.
On December 9, the Russian Minister of Energy, Alexander Novak, wrote letters to gas-consuming countries warning that the imposition of a $6.6 billion fine on Gazprom by the Anti-Monopoly Committee of Ukraine carries additional risks on gas supplies to Europe. Novak previously reported that Ukraine expressed its readiness to purchase from 1.5 to 4 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia this coming winter.
The Chief Executive Officer of Naftogaz, Andriy Kobolyev, noted that Naftogaz and Gazprom failed to reach an agreement during the negotiations.