EU wants to check points of transmission of gas from Russia to Ukraine

The EU is asking Russia for permission to inspect the volume of gas introduced into Ukraine's transmission system. The problem lies in the dispute between Russia and Ukraine over the volume of gas supplied by Gazprom in the first half of this year, namely, the supply of 1.2 billion cubic meters of gas to Donbass. Ukrainian Naftogaz refused to pay, indicating that it does not control the point of acceptance of supplies from the pro-Russian separatist region.

Brussels also wants to talk with Moscow and Kiev about gas supplies for the coming winter. Naftogaz announced at the end of August that 12.25 billion cubic meters of natural gas had been collected in the Ukrainian underground gas reserves. According to Ukrainian calculations, 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas are still needed for the heating season. The EU said it would be better if the Ukrainians collected about 16 billion cubic meters of reserves, as their depletion could jeopardize supplies to some EU countries.

The Ukrainian government has approved an increase in gas reserves. Vice-President of the European Commission expressed the opinion that the purchase of gas by Ukraine is possible at the expense of a loan from the World Bank. “My proposal is that we jointly apply to the World Bank so that a loan of $ 500 million is ready for the upcoming heating season,” he said.

In November 2015, Ukraine stopped buying gas from Russia, preferring more favorable supplies to prices from the West. Until summer, Naftogaz asked Gazprom to resume supplies, subject to a favorable price. Russia is in no hurry to negotiate jointly with Ukraine and the European Commission, since, in theory, Moscow has a gas contract with Kiev, which guarantees the sale of raw materials.

Ukrainians and Russians are involved in the trial. In June 2014, Naftogaz filed a lawsuit in a Stockholm court to determine a fair price for Russian gas supplied to Ukraine. In response, Gazprom filed a lawsuit against Naftogaz in relation to the debt for the supplied raw materials. The Stockholm Court takes two complaints into account in one case. It is expected that a decision on this issue will be made this year.