Putin sets duty-free gas for Ukraine

Updated: 2010-05-01 05

(Xinhua)

Twitter Facebook Myspace Yahoo! Linkedin Mixx

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed on Friday a decree on the zero tariff gas for Ukraine, lowering the gas price by 30 percent.

"I have informed the Ukrainian prime minister about signing a resolution, which sets the zero rate of the customs duty on natural gas supplied to Ukraine," Putin said after the meeting of the Russia-Ukraine Interstate Commission's Economic Cooperation Committee.

Under the gas-for-fleet agreement reached by Russian and Ukrainian leaders last week, Russia agreed to give a 30 percent discount on natural gas to Ukraine. In exchange, the Russian Black Sea fleet will remain in the Crimea for anther 25 years.

According to the agreement, Ukraine will receive a discount of 100 U.S. dollars per 1,000 cubic meters on natural gas, if the price is not below 330 dollars. But if the price goes below 330 dollars, the discount will be stand at 30 percent.

On Friday's meeting, Putin also proposed a union of Russian gas giant Gazprom and Ukrainian gas monopoly Naftogaz, with the purpose to promote the gas cooperation between the two countries.

Paper's Digest

China bags Asiad team tennis title after 24 yrs

Wimbledon semifinalist Li Na led host China to capture the team tennis title on Tuesday at the Asian Games, accomplishing her Asiad tour with three consecutive victories.

China rate rises no panacea to curb inflation: PBOC adviser

Chinadaily US Edition PDF

Specials

Russian possessed with TCM

Born into a family of doctors, Maxime became interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at the age of 12, after hearing about TCM theories such as health preservation and recuperation.

Acupuncture takes stab at UNESCO list

Acupuncture and Peking Opera have been selected as candidates for UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status.

The wedding coach comes back to life

A groom carries his bride from a wedding coach in Xuchang, Henan province, Nov 11, 2010. Produced a local factory, various original hand-made wedding carriages were displayed on the streets, attracting young people chasing fashion and an environment-friendly lifestyle.

Mounting inflation pressure tests policy makers
Chinese vice president to visit four nations
Chinese, Russian presidents meet in Seoul on co-op