Energy Union VP in Moscow for Winter Gas Package talks

Shortly after the EU-Ukraine summit on Thursday, European Commission Vice-president for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič flew to Moscow to attend talks with the Russian Government and gas concern Gazprom on the winter gas package for the EU and energy security for Ukraine during the upcoming winter. "It's difficult to forecast the outcome of the talks with Moscow," Šefčovič told TASR, adding that in Russia he'll point to the success of the past two winters and the good level of cooperation within the three-party Brussels-Kiev-Moscow protocol. Šefčovič noted that Kiev has confirmed that there won't be any problems with payments for gas this winter, partly due to a special $500-million loan provided by the World Bank with the backing of the European Investment Bank and the Commission. According to Šefčovič, even though Kiev is confident that it won't have any problems with gas transit to the EU this winter, Brussels wants more guarantees. If Moscow is prepared to present competitive prices, then Brussels will seek to fill underground gas reservoirs in Ukraine for the needs of the EU.