Gazprom cancelled the discount on natural gas supply for Ukraine, RIA Novosti says citing Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller. According to the CEO, Ukraine informed the energy giant that it will not be able to pay off the February delivery of gas. Besides, the country has not settled yet in full its debt payments for the last year putting up less than half of the total amount.
Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev also commented that such a decision is rightful. He also authorized the Finance Ministry to consider the possibility of granting Ukraine the loan of $2-3 billion so that the latter could pay off the fuel deliveries.
The overall debt of Ukraine totals $1.529 billion, Gazprom CEO highlighted. The newly-assigned Prime Minister of Ukraine announced that Russia is not going to extend discount of natural gas on March 3. By the way, Arseniy Yatsenyuk paid attention to the fact that Kiev will find money to square up with Moscow for the February delivery.
The negotiation between presidents of two countries in late 2013 resulted in the fuel discount. So, the gas price was reduced by more than $400 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters to $268.5. The discount, which was agreed to be temporary, was supposed to be proved by both parties quarterly.
