Ukraine and Russia are considering inviting the European Commission to take part in bilateral gas talks, Ukraine’s energy minister Yury Boyko said on Wednesday.
“Russia shows understanding on the issue. Constructive talks to invite European partners are underway,” the minister said.
He said Kiev had invited European Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger to the talks two weeks ago.
The European Commission’s press service said on Tuesday EU representatives are ready to take part in the gas talks between Kiev and Moscow.
At their ongoing gas price talks, Moscow and Kiev have recently been discussing the possibility of creating a joint venture to operate the Ukrainian gas transportation system, a core transit route for Russian natural gas supplies to Europe.
Ukraine wants the consortium to be established in the three-party format, involving Russia, Ukraine and the European Union.
Ukraine is also seeking to cut Russian gas imports to 27 billion cubic meters from the contracted volume of 52 bcm. Russian gas giant Gazprom reacted by saying the current contract did not provide for unilateral changes in gas purchase volumes.
