Russian-Ukrainian gas negotiations have started in the Austrian capital.
The parties met to implement the protocol on cooperation, signed on December 20 in Minsk.
Tuesday, Executive Director of Naftogaz Yuri Vitrenko said that the final terms and conditions would be agreed at a meeting in Vienna. He also expressed hope that the documents would be signed on December 27.
In turn, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said he expects to finalize the contracts this weekend.
On December 20, Russia and Ukraine signed a protocol on gas cooperation. In order to continue the transit, Gazprom will enter into an interoperator agreement with the Ukrainian GTS Operator and an agreement with Naftogaz on booking transportation capacities.
It is expected that gas transit capacities of 65 billion cubic meters will be booked next year and 40 billion cubic meters each in 2021-2024, with a competitive tariff set.
The protocol also includes agreements to settle legal disputes. Beforehand, the companies had agreed to sign an agreement on Gazprom’s payment of $2.9 billion to Naftogaz for the decisions of the Stockholm Arbitration and on the parties’ waiver of claims for which no final decision has been made. Also, the Ukrainian government will sign a settlement agreement with Gazprom on withdrawing 7.4bn dollars of antitrust claims.