KIEV, November 6. /TASS/. Ukraine’s state-owned energy company Naftogaz has no schedule of prepayments for supplies from Russian gas giant Gazprom, a representative of the company told PRIME Thursday.
“There is no approved schedule. Our need for gas will depend on Ukraine’s consumption level,” the representative said, when asked when it will pay in advance for the Russian gas supplies.
Naftogaz already paid the first $1.45 billion tranche to Gazprom to repay part of its debt for gas supplied earlier, and Gazprom confirmed receiving the payment on Wednesday. The step was a condition for resumption of Russian gas supplies to the country. According to Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller, gas supplies will restart in 48 hours after the prepayment has been received.
On Wednesday, Naftogaz said Ukraine will buy Russian gas in winter only if it needs additional gas, while reverse supplies from Europe will remain the main source of gas for the country in the period. Under agreements signed between Russia, Ukraine and the EU, the company may order gas from Gazprom on a flexible schedule and without the take-or-pay condition.