Transcript of the meeting's beginning:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Miller, summer is the best time for thinking about winter, about preparation for the autumn and winter heating season. Your company usually makes the necessary repairs in summer, and pumps sufficient amounts of gas, 63 billion cubic metres, into underground storage facilities. Could you report on your progress, please?

Alexei Miller: Preparation for the autumn and winter heating season is proceeding according to plan. By the end of this period, we will pump the required amount of gas, 63 billion cubic metres, into the underground storage tanks. Planned preventive repairs are also proceeding to schedule. Therefore, Gazprom will be well prepared for the winter.

Vladimir Putin: Can you report on your relations with power generating companies?

Alexei Miller: As for generating companies, we do not envision any acute problems given the current situation in the market. Gas supply currently exceeds the demand, although we see signs of revival in the real economy sector. I am referring to the domestic market and gas supplies to Europe. Gas demand started growing, albeit slowly, in the past few weeks.

Vladimir Putin: That's good. Now to relations with our closest partners, such as Ukraine.

Alexei Miller: Mr Putin, Ukraine has paid for May deliveries in full. Acting in compliance with your decision, we did not fine Ukraine for failure to receive the contracted amounts of gas. Under the contract, it was to receive nearly double the amount it actually received.
We understand Ukraine's economic problems and difficulties created by the crisis. We will continue to act in this spirit and will not impose fines on our Ukrainian partners.

Vladimir Putin: However, we have paid for gas transit across Ukraine to Europe until the beginning of 2010. In fact, Gazprom - and on a larger scale, Russia - has loaned Ukraine $2.2 billion. I sincerely hope that both partners will continue to honour their contractual obligations.

Alexei Miller: In our future relations with Ukraine, we will proceed from the fact that all sides must unfailingly fulfil the contracts signed by them in January.

Vladimir Putin: You have recently visited Turkmenistan. What can you say about your work with partners there?

Alexei Miller: I visited Turkmenistan on your instructions, held talks with Turkmen colleagues, and met with the Turkmen President to discuss strategic partnership. Gazprom has a long-term contract with Turkmenistan until 2028, and we will continue to develop strategic relations with Turkmen partners.
During the meeting with the Turkmen President we discussed current issues, the situation in the market, and cooperation in 2009 and for 2010. We came to an agreement on all issues on our agenda. It can be said that the atmosphere at the meeting was constructive and friendly.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.