All news

No ground for paying for unused gas – Naftogaz Ukrainy

The Ukrainian minister stressed that Ukraine fulfilled its gas obligations in compliance with the 2009 agreement with Russia
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

KIEV, February 7 (Itar-Tass) – Nafrogaz Ukrainy told Gazprom it would not pay for unused gas, Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Eduard Stavitsky told journalists on Thursday.

“We present a report and we believe that it is inexpedient to pay seven billion dollars for unused gas because there are no grounds for this,” the Ukrainian minister said.

He stressed that Ukraine fulfilled its gas obligations in compliance with the 2009 agreement with Russia.

Earlier, Stavitsky said, “As for Gazprom’s bill to Naftogaz Ukrainy for unused gas, I believe that there is no problem, i.e. Ukraine paid for gas in full.”

Stavitsky said Ukrainian lawyers studied Russia’s requirements to pay additional seven billion U.S. dollars for gas in compliance with the 2009 contract.

“Lawyers are studying this issue and we will give a proper juridical response. I’m sure that we will reach mutual understanding with our Russian partners,” Stavitsky said.

The Ukrainian minister said he did not see any conflict between Naftogaz Ukrainy and Gazprom. “The legal process is underway,” he added.

“This is not pleasant and we realise this fact,” he said.

Stavitsky said the bill for unused gas was not linked with an agreement, which had been signed with Royal Dutch Shell on the development of slate gas in the Donetsk and Kharkov regions.

The official said a notification had been sent to Russia until the agreement was signed.