考研英语阅读篇章乌克兰拒绝俄罗斯天然气折扣

　　篇章：乌克兰拒绝俄罗斯天然气折扣

　　Russia s President Vladimir Putin has said a gas price discount deal offered to Ukraine was designed to help its economy.

　　俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔普京称，对乌克兰出口天然气的价格折扣目的在于帮助其恢复经济。

　　After another round of negotiations, Ukraine rejected the price deal, saying it won t fall into Russian gas trap .

　　But Mr Putin said on Wednesday that the offer was to support the Ukrainian economy at a rather difficult time .

　　The two sides have been locked in talks after Russia withdrew a deal to subsidise gas exports to Ukraine.

　　On Wednesday, Russia offered a discount of $100 for every 1,000 cubic metres of gas exported to Ukraine.

　　Deadline

　　But Ukraine s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said it was a trap . Ukraine wants a new gas deal based on a contract, rather than on the basis of whether Russia likes the Ukrainian government or not , he said

　　Speaking in Moscow later on Wednesday, Mr Putin said: We believe that our offer is more than in a partnership spirit, aimed to support the Ukrainian economy at a rather difficult time.

　　But if our offers are rejected it means we will enter another stage. This is not our choice. We do not want it.

　　The European Union-brokered talks in Brussels come after Russia threatened to turn off the gas taps to Ukraine if Kiev did not pay for past deliveries.

　　However, Russia s deadline for payment has been repeatedly pushed back after Ukraine paid off part of the sum.