Emboldened by debt writedown, Ukraine asks Russia for lower gas prices for winter season

Emboldened by a deal with international creditors to write down part of its debt, Ukraine is asking Russia for lower gas prices for the winter season.

Gas disputes between Russia and Ukraine have led to cut-offs of supply in the past, and one standoff in 2009 caused serious disruptions in gas flowing from Russia via Ukraine to the European Union.

Russia and Ukraine last year struck an emergency deal on prices through the winter. That deal has expired and the sides have to hold new talks if Ukraine is to receive more Russian gas.

Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said on Friday he is convinced that Kiev and Moscow should go back to the last winter deal, which saw Ukraine pre-pay for gas but receive a sizeable discount.