Russia and the EU take a unified stand in negotiations on gas

The roles in gas conflict between Russia and the Ukraine have begun to change. Moscow and Brussels clearly present a united front, advanced, at least outwardly, realistic proposals and compromises. Kiev continues to remain in silent opposition not only to Russia, but also to its ally in the name of the EU. The rationale for such a strategy may be the Ukraine's desire to bring the situation to the acute phase of the crisis in the hope of obtaining more concessions and aid.

The Ukraine refused the variant to solve the gas dispute with Russia, approved by the European Commission As the country’s Energy Minister ,Yuriy Prodan stated to the Kommersant, Kiev’s stand is still the opinion that any payment for the gas debt must be preceded by the price agreement. As the Russian Ministry of Energy reported to the Kommersant and the EC confirmed, according to the agreement, reached on Monday, Kiev was to report to Brussels before 19:00 CET, whether it agreed to pay $2.2 billion of gas debt (this part of the total debt of $ 5.2 billion is recognized by the Ukraine).