Russia and Ukraine have agreed a deal that will ensure Kyiv receives gas until the end of the month, after Moscow threatened to cut off supplies. Meanwhile, leaders expressed mild optimism about the Ukraine ceasefire, deutsche welle reports.
A deal was finally struck after tense talks in Brussels late on Monday, effectively securing the gas supply to Ukraine and the European Union until the end of the winter.
The two countries have had several gas price disputes in past years, with Moscow’s threat to turn off the taps to Ukraine also placing supplies to the European Union in jeopardy. Russia had been threatening to shut off the pipeline on Tuesday unless it received outstanding pre-payments from Kyiv for the fuel.
A European Commission statement said both sides had confirmed their intention to “fully implement” a deal agreed in October. The agreement saw Moscow promise to deliver gas to Ukraine until the end of March, provided the prepayments arrive.
“I am satisfied that we managed to safeguard the full application of the winter package for the supply needs in Ukraine,” said EU energy chief Maros Sefcovic after mediating the emergency talks between Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Demchyshyn.
Sefcovic said he was also confident that the “supply of gas to EU markets remains secure,” with the Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz and Russia’s Gazprom having struck a deal over payment.