According to Mr Aleksei Miller chairman of Russian state monopoly Gazprom that the Russian government would like to adopt the Belarus model in its cooperation with Ukraine in the natural gas sector.

Mr Miller offered his comments following a meeting between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Energy and Coal Industry Chair Mr Yuriy Boiko in which they discussed cooperation in the gas sector. Mr Boiko proposal reportedly involved developing cooperation not only in the gas transit sector, but in others as well. Mr Miller said the Russian government would study these proposals.

According to Phoenix capital “The comments are neutral for the economy. The Russian government and Gazprom are playing hardball with their Ukrainian counterparts making clear that they won’t offer lower natural gas prices for the year second half without serious concessions. The biggest trophies for the Russians would involve either Ukraine surrendering part of its control of its gas pipeline, as Belarus had done, or joining the Moscow led Customs Union. Ukrainian officials said they’re not interested in either option or the Kommersant report late last week that Ukrainian President Mr Viktor Yanukovych hinted at legal action in the gas conflict suggests a compromise is not on the horizon.”

(Sourced from www.phoenix-capital.ua)