RPT-Russia says receives Brussels proposal on gas talks

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - Russia has received a proposal from European Union Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger for a three-way meeting on gas between Russia, Ukraine and the European Commission, a spokeswoman at the Russian Energy Ministry said on Wednesday.

She said that Moscow will reply later on Wednesday, proposing a date and place for the meeting.

Earlier in the day, Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuri Prodan said in Kiev that ministerial talks could be held in the Slovak capital of Bratislava on Thursday, but the Commission said Oettinger was not expected to attend any talks.

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/04/23/ukraine-crisis-gas-talks-idUKL6N0NF3MT20140423

[bemildred]

1. Good to see them getting around to that. nt

[bemildred]

2. Another story I saw says Prodan now says the talks are off. nt

[dipsydoodle]

3. He wasn't too enthusiastic about the talks anyway.

I have a feeling the meeting will go ahead and Ukraine will simply be told to do whatever is necessary.

Note elsewhere :
"Ukraine had sent to Russia its proposals concerning the gas price Ukraine was prepared to pay but received no answer as of yet." Ukraine isn't in a position to negotiate anything having broken previous promises re. the outstanding gas bill of c.
$2 billion.

See :

Russia, the European Union, Ukraine and Slovakia may hold quadripartite gas negotiations on Thursday, Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Prodan said. "There is a proposal of the Russian side and the European Commission to hold a quadripartite or tripartite meeting. A meeting between the European commissioner, the Slovak minister, the Russian and me in Bratislava is under consideration," Interfax reports.

The minister noted that the meeting might take place on Thursday but there had been no official confirmation of that. Prodan recalled that Ukraine had sent to Russia its proposals concerning the gas price Ukraine was prepared to pay but received no answer as of yet.

Kiev is not considering the creation of a gas transport consortium involving Russia to operate Ukrainian gas pipelines, the minister underscored.

"I am not sure we are prepared to discuss the issue with Russia. Besides, there are no proposals to this effect," he told reporters in Kiev on Wednesday. Prodan reminded reporters that Ukraine had proposed joint operation and modernization of gas pipelines to companies of the European Union and the United States.

http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_04_23/Russia-EU-Ukraine-Slovakia-may-hold-gas-talks-on-Apr-24-Ukrainian-energy-minister-3776/

[bemildred]

4. Yes, elsewhere, the talks still seem to be on.

The news is getting very Alice-in-Wonderlandy now. Dueling narratives, but like six or seven of them. And Tony Blair sticks his oar in the water again about radical Islam being the real threat.