Yushchenko calls Medvedev to "parallel" gas consultations

President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko hopes that the result of his appeal to the President of Russia on the revision of gas agreements will be immediate consultations on this issue.

“I hope that this appeal will be heard, and immediate consultations will be held so that in 2010 both Ukraine and Russia meet its new relations,” Yushchenko said in Kyiv at a joint press conference with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, who is in Ukraine with a two -day visit.

Yushchenko calculated the amount of fines for the shortage of Ukraine, which can be accrued by Russia: “Ukraine will not take over 14 billion cubic gas. To date, fines Naftogaz of Ukraine are accrued 7.2-7.5 billion dollars,” he said.

Yushchenko noted that in his appeal to the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev about the need to revise gas agreements sent on Thursday, he asks to cancel the accrued fines. According to the results of 2009, gas shortages can reach $ 8.5 billion, RIA Novosti reports.

In an open letter to the President of Russia, Medvedev, Yushchenko, criticizes a contract concluded on January 19 with Gazprom, and claims that because of this, the budget deficit of the Ukrainian company Naftogaz in 2009 will exceed $ 4 billion.

The President of Ukraine suggested that Medvedev urgently change gas contracts in order to avoid problems with gas supplies to Ukraine and its transit further to Europe.

In 2009, Ukraine should buy from Russia on the principle of "bay or pay" more than 40 billion cubic meters of gas, but plans to purchase 33 billion cubic meters. Initially, penalties were provided for underwear for gas compared to a contracted volume. However, in fact, the Russian Federation did not present to Ukraine penalties, and in September, the prime ministers of the two countries agreed that the Ukrainian side would pay only the gas that really consumes.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko demands a review of long -term gas contracts between Gazprom and Naftogaz, concluded in January. In particular, he is dissatisfied with the rate of tariff for transporting gas across Ukraine.

But the premieres of Ukraine and Russia Yulia Tymoshenko and Vladimir Putin in Yalta should discuss the gas contract today.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine, unlike the president, believes that "there will be not a single question between Ukraine and Russia that concerns natural gas - all the moments are settled: starting from pricing and completing all aspects of transit. In addition, we completely settled the issue of gas calculations."

“Naftogaz of Ukraine” is waiting, in particular, that Russia will issue Putin’s former promise not to fine Ukraine for gas failure (according to the results of the year, such fines can amount to $ 8 billion).

“If we legally write this (release from fines) at least in two points of the commission, then we can calmly not wait for any crisis phenomena,” said Vadim Chuprun, deputy chairman of the “Naftogaz” board.