Medvedev criticizes Ukrainian "friends" for gas dispute

MOSCOW, September 9 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
criticized Ukrainian "friends" over a new gas dispute, but refused to
describe it as a conflict and said the parties will reach an acceptable
agreement provided Ukraine strictly abides by the 2009 gas deal.
The Ukrainian president and prime minister claimed the country is
paying too much for the Russian gas and threatened to non comply with the
terms of the 2009 agreement and appeal to international arbitration.
"It is an outrage when our colleagues, partners, the president of
Ukraine, the prime minister of Ukraine say the agreement is unfair and bad
and they will not fulfill it," Medvedev said in an interview with the
Euronews TV channel aired on Friday.
"Unless contested in court or cancelled by the parties all agreements
shall be fulfilled and I hope our Ukrainian friends will strictly abide by
the framework of the agreement signed in 2009. I hope the experience of
our close partners and friends in the past years will teach that it is
impossible to explode the existing agreed base even if you do not like
it," Medvedev said.
He stressed Russia is ready to discuss various approaches "both
advanced and based on integration or those including investment presence
in the economy and gas transportation system of Ukraine." In case of
agreement Moscow may decrease gas prices for Ukraine.
"If we succeed to agree on the issues we might be ready to consider
changing the cooperation scheme," the president said and stressed
Ukrainian claims about paying higher prices than others are unfounded.
"The talk that we are paying more than others have no grounds and is
pure propaganda," he said.
"Ukraine is paying by the same formula and the money is commensurate
to the price paid by other European consumers. Yes, prices are high but
they can also be extremely low which will be a problem for the energy
supplier. I hope Ukrainian consumers will properly fulfill the agreement
and we shall agree on our future affairs and future cooperation
parameters," Medvedev said.
He refused to describe the current situation as a conflict. "Most
likely there are different approaches which can develop into a complicated
situation," the president said.