Putin: Moscow, Kyiv must agree 'deep' cooperation; value of Ukraine's pipelines near minimum
Russia has provided Ukraine with a new discount on the price of gas in light of the difficult economic situation in that country, Gazprom's biggest sales market, part of the course that has been set aimed at achieving certain more profound agreements, President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference on Thursday.
Putin did not specify what the prospects for deep cooperation were, but recalled that back when Leonid Kuchma was Ukraine's president, the possibility was discussed of creating a consortium to manage and develop - but not own - Ukraine's gas transportation system.
"Everyone said 'Yes' and then everything fell apart. What did that lead to? We built Nord Stream, began building South Stream. The value of Ukraine's gas transportation system is nearing its low mark," Putin said.
"We have taken these steps [lowered the gas price] due to Ukraine's economic difficulties. Not in the interests of the Ukrainian leadership, but in the interests of the Ukrainian people," he said.
Gazprom has twice signed supplements to the gas contract granting payment deferrals, for October and November, Putin said, adding that payment is now being deferred once more.
"We truly understand that there are difficulties. Why beat up on your main partner? We hope that we can find a long-term solution that makes it possible to maintain the price and work more deeply with each other. This is a temporary solution. It can be extended upon agreement between the partners. I reckon that we will reach agreement on long-term joint work," he said.
