Ukraine rejects Russia's gas offer

Ukraine has rejected Russia’s offer of a discount for gas shipments, which president Vladimir Putin touted as a “partnership deal”.

Ukrainian energy minister Yuri Prodan said Kiev found the deal unacceptable.

Prodan said Ukraine was seeking a price lower than $385 per 1,000 cubic metres, which is what Ukraine had been paying until late last year and which is what Putin offered.

The minister said the Ukrainian government now believes that arbitration is the best option to solve the dispute.