OREANDA-NEWSOne of the conditions of a package gas agreement between Russia and Ukraine is discussing the payment by Gazprom of about $ 3 billion to the Ukrainian side by decision of the Stockholm arbitration, a source in the Russian delegation told reporters.

“Gazprom’s payment of about $ 3 billion by the decision of the Stockholm arbitration may become part of a package agreement on gas with Ukraine. Continuation of negotiations on the whole range of issues is scheduled for today in Minsk”, he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a large press conference on Thursday, commented on the arbitration decision, recalling that Ukraine has a similar debt to Russia on $ 3 billion worth of Eurobonds.

"Some of the Russian reserve funds from the National Wealth Fund have been invested in Ukrainian securities worth $ 3 billion. There is already a court decision in London on this issue, it is not being implemented", the president said. Putin noted that Russia is ready to seek a solution to the Ukrainian gas issue that is acceptable to everyone, although the decision of the Stockholm arbitration on the dispute between Gazprom and Naftogaz Ukrainy was political in nature.