Russian energy giant Gazprom could cut gas deliveries to Ukraine
from March 8 if Naftogaz does not pay for supplies received in
February, Russian business daily Kommersant reported on Thursday.
The newspaper said Naftogaz does not have the money to pay for the gas, according to RIA Novosti.
A week ago Naftogaz warned it might face problems paying for gas
supplied by Russia's gas monopoly as non-payments by Ukrainian
utilities were leaving the national energy company short of funds. The
issue was discussed at a Gazprom board meeting on Tuesday.
"If $400 million is not forthcoming by March 7, it will be necessary
once again to cut off Ukraine," Andrei Kruglov was quoted as saying by
an unidentified participant in the meeting. Kommersant said a senior
Gazprom official confirmed such a plan is being developed.
"The company will carry out its obligations to consumers and transport
gas at previous volumes. But the volume of gas delivered to Ukraine
will be reduced - fuel will not be supplied to Naftogaz free of
charge," the source said.
Gazprom suspended gas deliveries to Ukraine on January 1 over
non-payments and the two sides' failure to agree a delivery contract
for 2009. A week later, Gazprom accused Ukraine of stealing gas
intended for EU consumers and cut off gas deliveries to the European
Union via the country, prompting two weeks of major gas shortages
across much of Eastern Europe.
The standoff was resolved after negotiations between Russian Prime
Minister Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Yulia
Tymoshenko. The gas supply and transit contract signed on January 19 by
Gazprom and Naftogaz stipulates that the Russian energy giant can
switch to 100% prepayments if payments are not received on time.
Naftogaz spokesman Valentin Zemlyansky on Wednesday told Kommersant
that the company hoped "to collect the necessary sum of money by March
7 and to make the payment."
Another company source said Naftogaz could find $100-$160 million, but did not say where the remaining funds would come from.
