Russia softens positions in Ukraine gas talks

A new round of trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the European Union took place in Vienna on 30 June 2015 regarding gas transit and its price.

Reports suggested that Russia was prepared to soften its position on this issue and allow some price concessions. However, following the collapse of the trilateral negotiations over disagreements on pricing, Ukraine announced the immediate suspension of all Russian gas purchases.

Europe gets nearly a third of its gas needs from Russia and around a half of that comes via Ukraine.

• Primary Source

RT, 29.06.15: ​Russia prices gas for Ukraine at $247, cuts discount http://rt.com/business/270475-russian-gas-price-ukraine/

The Moscow Times, 29.06.15: Russia Should Uphold Gas Discount For Ukraine – Medvedev http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russia-should-uphold-gas-discount-for-ukraine--medvedev/524592.html

Sputnik International, 29.06.15: Russia's Gazprom Offers Kiev Same Gas Delivery Terms in Q3 http://sputniknews.com/business/20150629/1023993567.html

ESO: Background Information: Inaugural trilateral EU-Russia-Ukraine meeting on gas http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-inaugural-trilateral-eu-russia-ukraine-meeting-on-gas/

ESO: Background Information: Gazprom’s tactical concessions to Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/gazproms-tactical-concessions-to-ukraine/

EurActiv, 01.07.15: Trilateral talks on Ukraine’s gas supplies fall apart http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/trilateral-talks-ukraines-gas-supplies-fall-apart-315892

BBC News, 30.06.15: Ukraine suspends Russian gas purchases http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33338859

Politico, 30.06.15: EU aims to head off Ukraine-Russia gas war http://www.politico.eu/article/gas-war-ukraine-russia-pipelines-talks-vienna-transit/

Euronews, 01.07.15: Ukraine stops buying Russian gas over price row http://www.euronews.com/2015/07/01/ukraine-stops-buying-russian-gas-over-price-row/

The Wall Street Journal, 01.07.15: Ukraine Suspends Purchases of Russian Natural Gas http://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-suspends-purchases-of-russian-natural-gas-1435736161

The Moscow Times, 01.07.15: Russia-Ukraine Gas Talks Fall Apart with No Agreement on Pricing Plan http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russia-ukraine-gas-talks-fall-apart-with-no-agreement-on-pricing-plan/524766.html

Sputnik International, 01.07.15: Ukraine Groundlessly Expecting Below Market Price for Russian Gas http://sputniknews.com/business/20150701/1024070406.html

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: IP/15/5292, 30.06.15: Outcome of EU-Russia-Ukraine trilateral gas talks in Vienna http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-5292_en.htm

EUObserver, 01.07.15: EU 'frustrated' as Russia gas talks break down https://euobserver.com/energy/129414

EurActiv, 30.07.15: Energy efficiency on frontline of Ukraine’s fight with Russia http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/energy-efficiency-frontline-ukraines-fight-russia-316667

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