KIEV, April 22 (RIA Novosti) – Ukraine is ready to talk to European and American investors about the joint modernization and exploitation of its natural gas pipeline network, acting Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk said Tuesday.
“The best answer for Ukraine’s energy dependence on Russia will be the presence of European and American investors in Ukraine. We are ready to consider the issues of the joint modernization and exploitation of the Ukrainian gas transport system,” Yatsenyuk said.
Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a letter to the leaders of 18 European countries warning that Moscow would have to switch to requiring advance payments from Kiev for gas deliveries, due to Ukraine’s mounting debt for unpaid supplies.
Putin noted that Russia has subsidized the Ukrainian economy by $35.4 billion by providing discounts on natural gas, adding that Moscow will wait for one more month before switching to requiring advance payments.
The European Union has agreed with Russia that consultations should be held to ensure the uninterrupted flow of natural gas to Europe amid the crisis in Ukraine, according to an open letter by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
