European Commission expects Kyiv and Moscow to sign gas transit agreement as soon as possible

The European Commission refrains from disclosing details of the agreement on transportation of Russian gas to Europe via Ukrainian GTS agreed in Berlin yesterday but underscores that the European side expects the parties to sign this document as soon as possible.
“The agreement reached yesterday covers all the key provisions that are necessary to continue transporting Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe from January 1, 2020. It will now be evaluated at the political level in Russia and Ukraine. The Commission expects it to be presented and signed as soon as possible,” European Commission’s Spokesperson for Climate Action and Energy Tim McPhie said at a press briefing on Friday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He declined to comment on the media reports about the likely continuation of gas talks in Minsk, noting that Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič is in constant contact with representatives of Ukrainian and Russian sides.

McPhie disclosed neither terms of the contract nor its other components.

"At the moment, I cannot provide you with specific information about the contract duration but what I can say is that this agreement covers the volumes and duration of gas transit, tariffs and problem of arbitration between Russia and Ukraine," the spokesman added.

As reported, Energy and Environmental Protection Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Orzhel and Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said after the 5th round of gas transit talks that

a final protocol had been elaborated which brought the parties closer to signing the final agreements. They also expressed confidence that a constructive result would be reached in the near future.

Trilateral gas talks will continue in Minsk on December 20. The European Commission will participate in online mode.