Russia, Ukraine and the European Union will have an informal meeting on gas issues today, Russian Energy Minister Sergey Shmatko said, RIA Novosti reports.
Shmatko said that they are interested in discussing security of transporting, legal issues and functioning of the gas transport network.
The main issue is modernization of Ukrainian gas transport system, which will need $6.5 billion of investments in 2018. The pipeline transports Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine.
In late April Russian Premier Minister Vladimir Putin announced a different solution. He proposed uniting Gazprom and Naftogaz of Ukraine. The initiative needs establishment of a joint venture. Russia may provide the resources, Ukraine — gas transport systems.
On Monday Brussels hosted a summit of Ukraine and EU. The energy ministers of Russia and Ukraine, as well as the European commissioner for energy, want to use it as a platform for talks.
