Updated 02:18 a.m. Moscow Time
MOSCOW, October 2 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have agreed on the need for the rapid preparation and implementation of agreements concerning the gas crisis between Moscow and Kiev, Kremlin press service said Thursday.
"The leaders of the two countries have spoken in favor of the fast preparation and implementation of agreements on the Ukrainian gas problem," the press release reads.
Last week, Moscow and the European Commission have outlined the so-called "Winter Plan" for Russia's gas deliveries to Ukraine. According to the plan, Ukraine would have to repay $3.1 billion of its estimated $5.3 billion gas debt to Russia and pay in advance for the delivery of five billion cubic meters of gas at the price of $385 per 1,000 cubic meters, with a discount of $100.
Kiev, however, rejects Russia's offer of the discount in the form of an export-duty exemption and wants the contract price to be reduced instead.
Ukraine also wants to agree the debt repayment schedule, as well as terms and schedules of future gas deliveries and insists on amending the current gas contract with Russia in order to formally authorize the reverse deliveries of Russian gas to Ukraine from Europe.
According to Russia's Energy Ministry, the date for a trilateral meeting on the issue is to be set next week.
