Ukraine has proposed to OAO "Gazprom" a gradual increase in the price of the portion of gas supplied to it.

This was reported to "Interfax-Ukraine" by the chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy, Transport and Communications of Russia, Valery Yazev.

According to him, Ukraine made this proposal during the latest round of negotiations with "Gazprom."

Of the 25 billion cubic meters of Russian gas supplied to Ukraine, Ukraine proposes to supply 17 billion cubic meters of gas at a price of $50 per 1,000 cubic meters, and another 8 billion cubic meters at a price from $80-82 at the beginning of the year to $90-96 by autumn.

It is envisaged that these 8 billion cubic meters will be sold in Ukraine through the company "RosUkrEnergo."

Responding to a question about the negotiating position of the Russian side, Yazev reported that "Gazprom" continues to insist on a transition to a gas price for Ukraine of $160 per 1,000 cubic meters while simultaneously raising the transit fee from $1.09 to $1.75 per 1,000 cubic meters per 100 km.

He also reported that the parliaments of Russia and Ukraine may adopt a joint statement on the situation in the gas sector.

At the same time, according to the press service of "Naftogaz," the company states that the agreements between Russia and Ukraine, according to which the cost of Russian gas for Ukraine is 50 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters, are valid until 2009.

The press service cites an excerpt from the contract on the terms of supply and transit of Russian gas for the period from 2003 to 2013 dated June 21, 2002, as well as an addendum to it dated August 9, 2004.

"According to it, for the period from 2005 to 2009 the following are established:

a fixed rate of payment for the transit of Russian gas in the amount of 1.09375 US dollars per 1,000 cubic meters of gas per 100 km of distance, which is not subject to change by the parties;

a fixed price for Russian gas in the amount of 50 US dollars per 1,000 cubic meters, which is not subject to change by the parties," the statement says.

"Naftogaz" recalls the statement by "Gazprom" in which the Ukrainian side was accused of a "non-constructive approach," and the company's position is based on the agreement between the governments of Russia and Ukraine on additional measures to ensure the transit of Russian natural gas through the territory of Ukraine dated October 4, 2001.

"At the same time, for unclear reasons, other documents that regulate and detail the terms of providing services for the transit of Russian gas through the territory of Ukraine and payment for it are not mentioned," states "Naftogaz."

In this regard, "Naftogaz" notes that the legal relationship between the company and "Gazprom" is regulated not only by intergovernmental agreements but also by the contract between the companies.

"The Ukrainian side strictly adheres to and will continue to adhere to the previously reached agreements on the transit of Russian gas through the territory of Ukraine... Provided that the existing principles of payment for transit services for Russian gas are maintained, the supply to European consumers will be carried out reliably and without interruption - as it was before," the statement says.