Ukrainian government must enter into a new contract with Gazprom on transit of Russian natural gas to Europe through Ukraine’s territory and get a deal on direct sales of Russian gas to our country, MP Serhiy Lovochkin told reporters on the sidelines of the Verkhovna Rada on Thursday, Dec. 12.

“The major question now is whether Ukraine will maintain its status of the gas transit country. It provides income to the Ukrainian budget and creates jobs. Technically, Russian gas transit allows maintaining pressure in the transmission network and supply gas to the southeast of the country, where consumers depend on pressure from the Russian side,” the MP said.

He noted that direct sales of the natural gas from Russia will allow lowering utility rates for the population and support economic development.

“The decision is within mandate of the executive authority. Therefore, we are ready to support President Zelensky at getting a new contract for transit and direct sales of Russian gas. This will lower gas price within the country, decrease utility bills for citizens, and make the gas cheaper for Ukrainian enterprises, which will in turn increase their profitability and positively affect salaries and jobs.

“Unfortunately, we see no progress in this matter so far, but hope for good news in the near future,” Lovochkin said.

Earlier, Co-chair of OPPOSITION PLATFORM – FOR LIFE Yuriy Boyko and Head of party’s political council Viktor Medvedchuk held talks in Saint Petersburg in June 2019 with Gazprom chairman Alexey Miller on direct sales of Russian gas to Ukraine, which is projected to lower gas price by 25 percent. The existing contract for Russian gas transit to Europe through Ukraine expires on Dec. 31, 2019.