Yushchenko urges Russia to resume gas supply to Europe immediately

Viktor Yushchenko

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is extremely concerned over the situation with the transit of Russian natural gas via the territory of Ukraine to European consumers as a result of Russia's full stop of gas supply to Ukraine for export to European countries. He expressed this concern during his telephone talk with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the presidential press service reported.

Yushchenko emphasized that the Ukrainian party, to secure the transit of Russian natural gas to Europe, did the utmost to return the situation to normal. Particularly, Ukraine pumped out gas from its underground deposits. The Ukrainian President urged Russia to immediately resume the supply of gas to European consumers, and assured that Ukraine is ready to do her best and secure the transit of gas in the volume provided by Russia. These proposals of Ukraine confirm its goodwill to guarantee the transit even before final agreements on gas deliveries are reached with the Russian party.

The Ukrainian leader noted that, starting on January 1, 2009, Ukraine is using exclusively home-mined gas and the gas kept in underground deposits and fully repaid by national joint stock company Naftogaz of Ukraine.

Yushchenko proposed Medvedev creation of a special commission with participation of both parties' representatives, and a third party - European consumers, that would analyze the causes behind the current crisis situation, and work out recommendations concerning immediate return to normal operation.

The Ukrainian President drew attention to the fact that on December 30, all payments were made for the gas used in 2008, and thus Ukraine's 2008 gas commitments were fully met.

Yushchenko urged Russia to return to constructive negotiations, and confirmed Ukraine's preparedness for holding open and transparent talks with participation of representatives of the European Union.

The head of state noted that the position of the Ukrainian authority is that the talks must be based on the agreements reached by the two countries' presidents on February 12, 2008, and mutual commitments sealed by the memorandum between the Russian Government and the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers on cooperation in gas industry, dated October 2, 2008 and outlining the principles and procedure for mutual settlements in gas industry.

UKRINFORM