Ukraine gas dispute unclear as deadline approaches

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — A Monday deadline approached with no sign of progress in resolving a months-long dispute over exactly how much Ukraine owes Russia for past natural gas deliveries and what price the nation should pay for future supplies.

The two sides, along with European Union energy chief Guenther Oettinger, held talks Saturday in Kiev, but no results were announced and officials would not comment Sunday.

Ukraine has balked at the price of $385 per thousand cubic meters demanded by Russia’s Gazprom. Kiev wants to return to a previously discounted price of $268.50.

Gazprom has said it needs $1.95 billion from Ukraine’s Naftogaz for gas deliveries or it will start demanding payment in advance on Monday. The dispute is part of wider tensions after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in March.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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