Gazprom: Ukraine imports minimum agreed volume of Russian gas

MOSCOW, Jan 26 (PRIME) -- Ukrainian oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy’s imports of Russian natural gas correspond to the minimum contractual volume of 41.6 billion cubic meters in 2012, natural gas giant Gazprom’s official spokesperson Sergei Kupriyanov told reporters late Wednesday.

“Ukraine continues to state that its consumption of Russian gas is diminishing and that exports this year are not to exceed 27 billion cubic meters. However, the data coming in proves the contrary,” Kupriyanov said, adding that the daily volume of gas supplies to Ukraine amounts to roughly 115 million cubic meters.

Earlier on Wednesday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov said that Ukraine plans to gradually decrease its imports of gas from Russia, while continuing negotiations on a price cut.

Ukraine has long sought to alter the terms of a 2009 gas deal, which ties the price of gas to oil prices. Oil prices have risen sharply since that time boosting Kiev’s bill.

Negotiations have been dragging on for over a year with Ukraine suggesting either lower volumes or lower prices, but Gazprom has rejected both proposals thus far.

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