OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) hopes to see the creation of a joint consortium between the European Union and Russia to help finance European gas supplies flowing through Ukraine, according to La Tribune Thursday, citing an interview with Alexei Miller, chief executive of Russia's state-controlled natural gas monopoly.
Miller hopes to promote that idea that E.U. and Russia share the Ukranian gas bill. He said the biggest problem is the financial position of Naftogaz, the Ukranian gas company, which lacks the $4.2 billion needed for the coming winter's gas storage bill. Miller plans to discuss the issue with Naftogaz.
Due to current high gas prices and Ukraine's difficult economic situation, Gazprom is worried Ukraine may not fill up its storage facilities in time, which could put European supplies in danger next winter.