Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia is ready to conclude a gas transit agreement with Ukraine at 20-25% discounted prices, TASS reports.
"We are ready to work with Ukraine on the transit of our gas to Europe and on its supply to Ukraine. Moreover, at the prices below those at which Ukraine receives Russian gas, but as if by a reverse from Europe ... But we were talking that if we supply it directly, we can reduce the price by 25%," Putin said.
Putin stressed that Russia has declared its readiness to reach any agreements with Ukraine with the participation of the European Commission.
The Russian President recalled that the issue of gas prices for Ukraine was discussed at a meeting of leaders of the Ukrainian Opposition Platform - For Life Party Viktor Medvedchuk and Yuriy Boyko with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
"A while back Mr. Medvedchuk and Mr. Boyko came to Russia, they met with Prime Minister Medvedev. And he asked them, 'What is it to you, you are not in the government and you are unlikely to enter? The answer was absolutely mature. They said that it was important to them that Ukraine and the Ukrainian consumer get cheaper gas. By 25%, by a quarter! If we do this, we will move this process, we will be happy, "Putin said.
Putin believes that this is a real mature political position in the interests of Ukrainian citizens.
As we reported earlier, German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of Russia Vladimir Putin have once again discussed the possibility of settling the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the transit of Russian gas through the Ukrainian gas transportation system.
