Russia offers Ukraine a 10% gas price discount?

Mikhail Zurabov, Russia’s ambassador to Ukraine, said on Friday he had an official letter from the Russian Energy Ministry for Ukraine offering to restart gas negotiations, which have been stalled since mid-January. The content of the letter was not disclosed, but Kommersant, citing undisclosed sources, reported this morning that Russia was going to offer Ukraine a 10% discount on imported natural gas. In return for the discount, Kommersant’s source said Russia would seek a guarantee from Ukraine that it would buy at least 33 bcm of gas this year. Ukrainian officials have planned to buy 20% less: only 27 bcm. Talks could resume as early as this week.