Ukraine announced the timing of the resumption of purchases of Russian gas
“Naftogaz” plans to resume purchases of Russian gas in March, said the head of the Ukrainian company Andrey Kobelev. His words are quoted by UNIAN.
“We held several rounds of talks. We have a document which, according to our estimates, close to be signed. We hope during this month to implement the decision of the [Stockholm] part of the contract of sale,” explained Sobolev.
The Stockholm arbitration court in December 2017 in the framework of the dispute “Naftogaz” to “Gazprom” has reduced the annual volume of procurement for the Ukrainian company to 5 billion cubic meters. In these volumes, “Naftogaz” is obliged to buy Russian gas starting in 2018. The court also ordered to pay Gazprom $ 2 billion for already delivered fuel.
In mid-January, Korolev called the attractive price of Russian fuel, which after the decision of the court will be obliged to establish “Gazprom”. Arbitration ordered the Russian company to reduce the cost of thousand cubic meters of gas for Ukraine from 485 to 352 dollars.
“Naftogaz” and “Gazprom” have exchanged lawsuits in the Stockholm arbitration in 2014. From 2015 Ukraine did not buy Russian gas.
Initially “Gazprom” planned to return the money for the violation of the rule of “take or pay”, excluding penalties and fines, this amount was estimated at $ 37 billion, then it increased to 50 billion. These requirements are rejected. The Ukrainian side insisted on the abolition of this rules and terms of gas prices in line with the market.
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