Ukraine’s Naftogaz Ukrainy denies ministry’s data on gas price

KIEV, Aug 25 (PRIME) -- The price for Russian natural gas for Ukraine under a contract with gas giant Gazprom is at least U.S. $30 higher than $140 per 1,000 cubic meters mentioned by Energy Minister Igor Nasalik, Yury Vitrenko, director for business development at Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz Ukrainy, said Thursday at his Facebook page.

On Wednesday, Nasalik said the Kiev buys natural gas from Europe at $185 per 1,000 cubic meters, which is $45 higher than a possible price for Russian gas, adding that this is the price for “Ukraine’s independence” from Russian gas.

“The price under the contract with Gazprom for July–September is not $140. The real price is at least $30 higher. Moreover, the price for European gas at the border with Ukraine now stands at significantly lower than $185, and lower than under the contract with Gazprom. I also don’t understand the phrase about ‘Ukraine’s independence’ in this context,” Vitrenko said.

“Ukraine has saved about $400 million by buying gas from European companies at a lower price.”

Ukraine stopped purchasing Russian gas in late 2015 due to price disagreements.

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