Ukraine, Gazprom hold gas talks as fears mount

MOSCOW, Jan 17 (Reuters) Ukraine’s energy executives today met the chief of Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom as Ukraine’s new government seeks to revise the terms of gas agreements with Moscow amid mounting debt.

Russia, which suplies one quarter of Europe’s gas needs, ships four-fifths of its exports to Europe via Ukraine. Europe closely watches gas price disputes between Kiev and Moscow, as they can lead to transit supply cuts.


In December, Gazprom agreed to increase charges for gas supplies to Ukraine by 38 per cent, only weeks before the arrival of the new government, led by Yulia Tymoshenko.

Tymoshenko, who is wary of Moscow, promised to eliminate all intermediaries in gas trade with Russia soon after her appointment, but refrained from tough action before the New Year.

Reuters