Angela Merkel Calls for Quick Solution to Russia-Ukraine Gas Spat

German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a speech at the `BDI - Day of German Industry 2014` in Berlin, Germany, 23 September 2014. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Russia and Ukraine should urgently resolve their gas price dispute, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said ahead of a new meeting between Kiev and Moscow.

With winter nearing, the two countries should resolve their long-running dispute as quickly as possible, Merkel told a meeting of business leaders on Tuesday, highlighting that Europe's gas supply is closely linked with Ukraine's.

Gas talks between Russia and Ukraine with the EU’s mediation would be held in Berlin on Friday. ITAR-TASS quoted Ukraine’s Energy and Coal Minister Yuriy Prodan as saying on Tuesday that Kiev will seek a compromise with Moscow at the meeting.

Russia suspended gas supplies to Ukraine in June over unpaid debt, saying resumption of deliveries hinged on debt repayment.

Moscow sharply raised gas price for Ukraine to USD 485.5 per 1,000 cubic metres as of April and Kiev has said it could not pay that price.

EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger said on Tuesday that the bloc expected to receive sufficient volumes of Russian gas at market prices.

 

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