Gas price for the Ukraine can grow in April already

Russia is not eager to prolong the discount due to the current debts. The Ministry of Energy of Russia announces about its readiness to increase price in connection with the debt of the Ukraine at a rate of $2 billion, Kommersant Ukraine writes. The Russian department states that the offer of the discount price should be confirmed quarterly.

The Minister of Energy and the Coal Industry of the Ukraine Y. Prodan confirms that Naftogaz has debt of $2 billion to Gazprom, and the debt of the heating and communal enterprises to Naftogaz is 25 billion grivnas, not taking into account the debt of the private gas traders. Speaking about the price of the Russian gas imports, Mr. Prodan says that in March its price should remain $286.5 per 1,000 cubic m, as well as in February, and it can move back to $400 per 1,000 cubic m in Q2, if they fail to achieve the agreement about prolongation of the discount price. Naftogaz continues negotiations with Gazprom about maintenance of the current price, and adds that the contracts are lack at the interdepartmental level due to unwillingness to set them from the Russian side.