No Date For EU Commission Vice-President Sefcovic Visit to Moscow Set Yet

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, following Tuesday's meeting with Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak on the sidelines of the World Energy Congress in Istanbul to discuss winter gas deliveries to Europe and trilateral energy negotiations between the European Union, Russia and Ukraine, Sefcovic said he could visit Russia later this month.

"No date for Vice-President Sefcovic visit to Moscow can be confirmed at this stage," the spokesman said.

Asked whether the trilateral meeting to discuss gas supplies for the upcoming winter between Kiev, Moscow and the European Commission was still on the table and whether a prospect for such a meeting would be raised during Moscow visit, the spokesman reiterated Brussels' readiness to act as a mediator between Moscow and Kiev on the energy issue.

"The Commission and Vice President Sefcovic stand ready as a mediator to pursue the path of trilateral gas talks EU-Russia-Ukraine provided and if both sides wishes so," he said.

In September, Novak stated that Russia did not plan any trilateral meetings, as “all the issues relating to gas deliveries are worked out in contracts valid until the end of 2019."