OREANDA-NEWS. In negotiations with Russia and the European Union on gas, Ukraine will insist on concluding a long-term contract for large volumes of transit of Russian gas, which can pay off the content of the gas transportation system. This was confirmed by Prime Minister of Ukraine Alexey Goncharuk during a speech in the Verkhovna Rada.

According to him, the government is doing everything possible for the transit agreement to be signed as soon as possible. “For this, in particular, it was necessary to resolve the issue of the unbundling (separation) of Naftogaz of Ukraine. Yesterday, the parliament did this when it passed law 2239-1. Now we will work according to European rules. This gives us the opportunity to appeal to our European partners, allies and take a common position in the negotiations", said the prime minister.

Both Moscow and Kiev expect to sign a new contract before the end of the year so as not to repeat the situation of the winter of 2008-2009, which was marked by the most serious interruptions in gas supplies to Europe in history. The next round of trilateral consultations between Russia, the EU and Ukraine on gas transit to Europe is planned in November.