Kiev rules out Russian energy deals

12.05.2010 15:12

Ukraine has no plans to sign any energy agreements with Russia during next week's official visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, a Ukrainian deputy prime minister said today.

First Deputy Prime Minister Andriy Klyuev was asked in parliament if a Russian proposal for a merger between Russia's Gazprom and Ukraine's state energy player Naftohaz and a proposal for closer atomic energy cooperation would be signed during the visit, on 17 and 18 May.

Reuters quoted him saying: "As far as the sphere of energy is concerned, then these agreements are being worked on and will not be signed on 17 and 18 May."

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin took Ukraine by surprise on 30 April by his proposal to merge the two state gas monopolies.

The leadership of President Viktor Yanukovich has fought shy of committing itself on the proposal. He has said he would prefer the European Union to be involved in any negotiations on a possible merger.

Klyuev said only five agreements will be signed during the Medvedev visit, covering issues such as border demarcation and inter-bank co-operation.

Source : Upstreamonline