Yatsenyuk Says Electricity Deal With Russia Violates Country’s Interests

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has criticized the Ukrinterenergo's deal with Russian energy holding Inter RAO, saying that the contract recognizes Crimea as part of Russia.

MOSCOW, January 20 (Sputnik) — Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has accused Ukraine's Energy Ministry of violating the country's interests when power company Ukrinterenergo signed a deal with Russian energy holding Inter RAO, the Ukrainskaya Pravda newspaper has reported.

According to the newspaper, Yatsenyuk asked Ukrainian Energy Minister Volodymyr Demchishin to explain certain provisions of the contract that recognize Crimea as part of Russia. The contract reportedly stipulates that electricity will be delivered to the Crimean Federal District of the Russian Federation.

According to Yatsenyuk, another violation of Ukraine's interests is linked to the fact that Russia can unilaterally increase the price of electricity for Ukraine, while Crimea will enjoy a fixed tariff, which is 15 percent lower than the current tariff.

Also, under the contract, Ukraine will receive electricity from Russia, if it fully provides Crimea and Donbas with electricity.

The Ukrainian prime minister is said to have asked for materials that served as a basis for the provisions of the current deal.

In December 2014, Russia's Inter RAO and Ukraine's Ukrinterenergo signed a one-year deal to deliver Russian electricity to Ukraine. Earlier, the Ukrainian energy ministry said it was ready to sign an agreement with Russia for the supply of electricity at Russian domestic prices, which are lower than those in Ukraine.