Prime Minister Mykola Azarov announced Wednesday the availability of arguments for revision of the gas agreements with Russia signed by his predecessor, Yulia Tymoshenko in 2009.
Azarov, responding to questions from reporters at a school in Schaslyve outside Kyiv, where he participated in the Day of Knowledge, said: "The agreement, which Tymoshenko signed, where the formula is $450 (per thousand cubic meters - ed.) is immediately put as a basis: this formula does not meet the situation on today's market, so we will seek arguments. We still have time to convince our Russian partners, and I think that we will find a compromise solution."
The Premier expressed his belief that the current agreement is benefited by only the Russian side. He finds confirmation of this in Tuesday's statement by the head of the Russian government, Vladimir Putin about reluctance of the Russian side to reconsider the agreement.
Azarov said that the negotiations with Russia on this issue are "difficult." But, he added, "We have no other choice."
As UKRINFORM reported, on April 21 in Kharkiv, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the agreement on the extension of the Black Sea Fleet stay on Ukrainian territory until 2042. In exchange for this agreement, Ukraine received a reduction of gas price by 30% but not more than by $100 per thousand cubic meters.
August 25, Azarov said that Ukraine insists on revising the gas contracts with Russia and intends to convince the Russian side of the need to do so. According to him, Ukraine will seek a review of the price of gas brought by Ukraine from Russia.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, in response, stated that Ukraine had got quite enough - a discount on gas after signing the Kharkiv agreements.
