Ukraine will spare no effort to gear up for the signing of agreements between Ukraine, the EU and the Russian Federation on the transportation of gas from the Russian Federation via the cross-border natural gas pipelines from 2020. Minister of Energy and Environmental Protection Oleksiy Orzhel announced following the trilateral talks that took place on September 19.

"We exert every effort to ensure that, from January 1, 2020, we sign contracts in line with the requirements of European Energy Law. Ukraine arrived with decisions having been taken at the recent Cabinet’s meeting regarding the Naftogaz's unbundling, drafts of the transportation contract, draft interconnection agreement and a roadmap on the necessary steps to obtain an independent certified transit operator by January 1, 2020. Thus, Ukraine has proved to be consistent in the implementation of European laws", the Minister noted.

Oleksiy Orzhel stressed that the negotiations had been constructive and Ukraine had demonstrated an active position on the security of gas deliveries via the territory of Ukraine.

According to the Minister, apart from the issues of volumes and tariffs of transportation, the issue of direct supply of gas to Ukraine from Russia was also discussed. "This issue should be built on a market basis and based on the trends existing in the European markets", he said, adding that it is critical to proceed only from economic grounds and completely eliminate the political component.

"We, as a country, assume the position of a partner that provides energy security in the region", he stressed.

Moreover, the Minister informed that the negotiations would continue in October. Oleksiy Orzhel added that he would not exclude the risk of non-signing of the gas transit agreement from January 1, 2020. But the Ukrainian side is prepared for any scenario.