Russia has taken a decision to supply 500,000 tonnes of coal to Ukraine per month for solving its energy problems, Russian Vice-Premier Dmitry Kozak said on Saturday.
“If an additional corresponding agreement may be reached, we’re ready to supply another 500,000 tonnes, totally one million tonnes of coal, to Ukraine in order to help it solve energy problems,” Kozak told Rossiya24 TV Channel.
The decision to this effect was made at Ukraine’s request. Energy carriers will be supplied to Ukraine on easy terms, he said.
Kozak expressed hope that this would help ensure reliable energy supplies to Crimea. “Today no agreement has been reached. A corresponding deal on Crimea has not been signed. However, the decision on the supplies was taken on parole,” he said.
Russia will also supply electricity to Ukraine, Kozak said. But he did not mention its quantity.
At Friday’s meeting with newly-appointed governors Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko said “the first trainloads of coal are arriving to ensure power plants’ stable operation.”
“This is the first in a series of steps to better the performance of the power supply system,” he said.
Also, he declared that Russia would provide electricity to considerably ease the risks of rolling blackouts when demand peaked.