EU, Russia and Ukraine to continue gas talks

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN

The EU, Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday agreed to continue three-party talks for an agreement on the transit of Russian gas to the EU through Ukraine, officials said.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic said he had a very good meeting with Russia's Energy Minister Alexander Novak and Ukraine's Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin.

“I am pleased to announce that today, we have managed to establish a trilateral process with Russia and Ukraine,” he said, adding that the high-level experts from all parties will meet in mid-September to discuss major issues.

“This will prepare grounds for the next trilateral meeting at the political level that should take place in the course of October,” he added.

The EU is seeking to broker a deal between Ukraine and Russia to ensure safe and reliable transit of Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine.

The current gas contract between Russia and Ukraine will expire on Dec. 31, 2019.