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Price of Russian gas for Ukraine may increase in 2017 — energy minister

Earlier, the minister said that Russian gas is currently cheaper for Ukraine than the gas purchased in Europe by $30 per 1,000 cubic meters

TOKYO, December 16. /TASS/. The price of Russian gas for Ukraine in the Q1 of 2017 is likely to increase against the current level, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters.

"According to the formula - probably, yes, it will be higher because there is a time lag," he said.

"It is impossible to talk about the exact changes right now, it needs to be calculates at the end of the month according to the formula," Novak said.

Earlier, Novak said that Russian gas is currently cheaper for Ukraine than the gas purchased in Europe by $30 per 1,000 cubic meters.

"The Ukrainian side is interested in terms of the price, in purchasing gas from Gazprom. This is just more profitable because the price is lower. The price of Russian gas under the contract and according to the formula is lower, starting from the second half of 2016. Naftogaz buys the same gas through European consumers for a more expensive price. According to our estimations, Naftogaz in the second half of the year has overpaid around $70 mln," Novak said.

Last year, Ukraine’s cabinet prohibited importing gas by Naftogaz from the Russian Federation. Earlier Gazprom suspended gas supplies to Ukraine until new payment are received.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday after the Russia-EU-Ukraine trilateral meeting held in Brussels said on Friday after the Russia-EU-Ukraine trilateral meeting held in Brussels that Ukraine is ready to buy from 1.5 to 4 bln of Russian gas in winter season.

Russian gas holding Gazprom is ready to supply gas to Ukraine in required volume within the contract framework, the minister added.