END OF UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE

MOSCOW, September 1 (Itar-Tass) -- Gazprom plans to export gas to Ukraine at prices matching the European standards, sources in the gas giant told Tass in the wake of media reports the Russian gas monopolist would raise the price of gas for Ukraine to 180 dollars per one thousand cubic meters. “Prices in the market keep changing. When we brought up this theme first time several months ago, the prices were at a level of 160 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters. Now the prices are close to 180 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters, that’s true, however, the end price may be higher or lower,” the source said.
Negotiations between Gazprom and Neftegaz Ukrainy are scheduled to end by September 10. “We are discussing this problem with Ukrainian colleagues. We are unprepared to make any comments now,” the source in Gazprom said. For the past five years Russia exported gas to Ukraine for 50 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters.