Report: Kiev says European gas $45 more expensive than Russian

KIEV, Aug 24 (PRIME) -- Kiev buys natural gas from Europe at U.S. $185 per 1,000 cubic meters, which is $45 higher than a possible price for Russian gas, Ukrainian Energy Minister Igor Nasalik said in an interview to local television station 112 Ukraine broadcast Wednesday.

Previously, CEO of Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz Ukrainy Andrei Kobolev said that Ukraine has to buy gas from Europe in July–August at a price higher than a possible price for Russian gas price, but Kiev wants to sign an additional agreement to the contract between countries to buy it.

“Speaking about gas, I would like to confirm that we have not taken off a single cubic meter of gas from Russia. Yes, we pay more for gas as we pay for transit through Ukraine’s territory and through Europe and back, and today the price stands at U.S. $185. The price under a direct contract with Russia could have amounted to $140,” Nasalik said.

This is the price of “Ukraine’s independence” from Russian gas, he added.

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