Ukraine can do without Russian gas in the summer

In the context of a decrease in consumption, Ukraine will be enough for the summer period of its own and reverse gas. This was stated by the Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine Volodymyr Demchishin after the end of a tripartite meeting in Brussels on a gas problem, UNIAN reports .

“I think that gas consumption will still be reduced. Accordingly, the prey that is in Ukraine - 55 million (cubic meters) per day, plus additionally reverse - 40 million, no less - we have enough to balance consumption for at least the summer period,” the minister said.

Ukraine does not refuse to buy gas from Russia, Demchishin emphasized. However, Russian gas is more expensive than reverse, and there is no need to urgently conclude a new supply agreement. At a meeting in Brussels, Russia and Ukraine agreed until April 1 under the auspices of the European Commission to discuss the issue of discounts on gas supplies for a "summer package".

"The Ukrainian side does not have a critical need to conclude an imminent agreement, and Gazprom understands this. Now strong positions are quite strong, and the volume of supplies from Europe is sufficient because consumption is sharply reduced because the pricing policy is changing, the structure of the market is being given much attention. Therefore, consumption over the past two months has fallen by 15-20 percent, we expect that such a trend will continue," - noted it, " - said Minister.

The chairman at the meeting, the vice-president of the European Commission, Marosh Shevchovich, said that Ukraine and Russia agreed on the full implementation of the “winter package. Transit of gas to the EU through Ukraine remains reliable, he emphasized.

“I am pleased that we managed to protect the full implementation of the“ winter package ”to meet the needs of Ukraine. I am pleased that the supply of gas to the EU market remains reliable,” the EC vice president noted.

The parties also discussed the situation with the gas supply of the occupied areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine, the press service of Naftogaz reports . The parties confirmed that for calculations on the "winter package" only those gas volumes that are delivered through gas reception points agreed by Ukrtransgaz will be taken into account. "Naftogaz" also presented evidence of the violation by Gazprom Agreements.

On October 31, in Brussels, Ukraine, Russia and the European Commission adopted the so -called "Winter Gas Plan" , which provides for the resumption of the supply of Russian fuel to Kiev. By the end of 2014, Ukraine pledged to pay off a debt of 3.1 billion dollars and buy additional gas volumes on an advance payment basis. According to the agreements, from November 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015, Moscow gave Kyiv a discount of $ 100 per thousand cubic meters.

On February 19, the head of Naftogaz Andrei Kobolev said that the company does not intend to pay direct gas supply to the LPR and the DPR . Gazprom began them after the termination of gas supply to the Donbass from Ukraine due to damage to the gas pipeline as a result of battles. Kobolev emphasized that the supply procedure was strictly regulated, and without the consent of Naftogaz, Gazprom does not have the right to supply gas in those areas that are not agreed with the Ukrainian side.

On February 23, Naftogaz was accused of Russia of violating the Brussels agreements due to the fact that it did not comply with the application for the supply of prepaid gas on February 22. According to the Ukrainian company, instead of 114 million cubic meters of gas ordered under the contract, she was given only 47 million.

On the eve of the meeting in Brussels, Kobolev again stated that the Ukrainian side fully fulfilled its part of the transaction, and Gazprom has not been used for the second month .