Ukraine is initiating trilateral talks with the EU and Russia on the ways of ensuring stable gas supplies to Ukraine and the EU, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal has said on Facebook.
"Today's actions by Gazprom on the non-fulfillment of their contractual obligations and refusal to comply with the Stockholm arbitration decisions carry a threat of an emergency situation in gas supply to Ukraine and the EU. Gazprom once again proves itself unfair. And, as always, it seeks to frame up Ukraine. That will not work!" she said.
According to Zerkal, the Foreign Ministry notified the EU about the application of the early warning mechanism for energy security in accordance with Article 340 and Annex XXVII of the Association Agreement.
"We are also initiating the trilateral negotiations in the Ukraine-EU-Russia format on ensuring the stability of gas supplies to Ukraine and the EU. The story of 2009 will not be repeated. Stockholm, the Association Agreement and the reform of the gas market have finally changed the paradigm of relations with the Russian Federation in the gas sector. Blackmail no longer works," she said.
Under the 22 December decision of the Stockholm arbitration, Naftohaz has to buy at least 5bn cu.m. of Russian gas by the end of the contract.
Naftohaz made an advance payment for March to resume the gas purchase from Russia but Gazprom refused to accept it.
On 28 February, Naftohaz was awarded damages of $4.63bn for Gazprom’s failure to deliver the agreed transit gas volumes. Since the court previously ordered Naftohaz to pay Gazprom for gas supply arrears, the net payment Gazprom will have to make to Ukraine is $2.56bn.