Support The Moscow Times!

Gazprom CEO Accuses Ukraine of Using Blackmail in Gas Talks

Alexei Miller, right, arrives for talks with Ukraine's Energy Minister, Yurii Prodan, in Kiev. Andrew Kravchenko / Reuters

The chief executive of Russian gas exporter Gazprom, Alexei Miller, accused Kiev on Monday of adopting an "unconstructive" position in gas talks and of using blackmail to try to get an "ultra-low" price.

"Thanks to the unconstructive position of the Ukrainian government, today a prepayment regime was introduced," Miller told Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in a meeting open to reporters. "The debt we were asking for was less than that which was required for the time period … but the Ukrainian side adopted a position that can only be called blackmail. … They wanted an ultra-low price."

During the same meeting Medvedev said Moscow was ready to continue gas talks with Kiev if Ukraine pays its $4.5 billion gas debt.

"We should not end the possibility for dialogue. We will be ready to continue talks on the condition of the full debt settlement," Medvedev said.

See also:

Gazprom Reduces Gas Supplies After Kiev Misses Payment Deadline

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more