German leaders say some Russian gas must continue to go through Ukraine. Russians officials refuse to make a commitment

German leaders say some Russian gas must continue to go through Ukraine. Russians officials refuse to make a commitment. The EU is pressuring Russia and Ukraine to negotiate a new gas transit contract to replace one that expires Dec. 31, 2019. Tomorrow, to make Ukraine’s pipeline system competitive with Nord Stream 2, Naftogaz cuts in half the tariffs at all pipeline entry points, to $6.28 per 1,000 cubic meters. Through Oct. 1, the volume of Russian gas shipped through Ukraine’s pipelines, dropped by 7% compared to the same period last year, to 65.4 billion cubic meters. The drop cost Naftogaz $89 million in lost revenues.