It is reported that Novak, the Secretary of the Russian Ministry of Energy will negotiate with Oettinger, the energy commissioner of EU on August 29, in Moscow for gas supply.

 
Ensuring steady gas transmission from Russia to Europe though Ukraine will become the important issue of the meeting. Besides, two parties will also consult about laws and technical problems referred by South Stream, Gazprom utilizing OPAL gas transmission pipe and the relevant problems for carrying out negotiation of energy between Russia and EU.
 
The latest meeting between Novak and Oettinger was held on June 11. Then they attended the meeting between Russia, EU and Ukraine for gas which was held in Brussels.
 
From April to the midmonth of June, Russia, Ukraine and EU had negotiated several times for gas supply while none of agreements were reached. Ukraine insisted that Russia decreased gas export prices substantially, or else it would not pay the debt for Russian gas. Russia agreed to give privilege which, however, was not favorable enough to Ukraine’s satisfaction. Due to endless disputes, on June 16, Russia announced to adopt mechanism of advance payment for gas supply to Ukraine.
 
For the demands for gas in summer obviously less than winter in Ukraine, Ukraine is still able to use the gas exploited by itself and maintain steady Russian gas supply to Europe crossing though Ukraine. However, with the winter coming, the demands for gas will increase greatly and Ukraine will have to import gas from Russia. If Russia and Ukraine cannot reach an agreement, Russian gas exported to Europe may suffer from impact. Under the circumstance, EU hopes that the meeting between Russia, EU and Ukraine for gas can be recovered as soon as possible.
 
Russia is the largest gas supplier to Europe. 30% of total European gas consumption comes from Russia. At present, about half of Russian gas supply to Europe needs to cross though Ukraine. In recent years, disputes for gas supply have already occurred several times between Russian and Ukraine. In the early of 2009, Russia had ever cut off gas supply to EU for a time.