The validity period of the discount for Russian gas for Ukraine will expire from April 1, the price will fully comply with the existing contract between Gazprom and Naftogaz.
As informed RIA Novosti, told reporters Russian energy Minister Alexander Novak.
“March 31, 2016 expires the discount for gas for Ukraine, which was provided by the government of the Russian Federation for the first quarter of 2016 in the amount of 17,77 $ per thousand cubic meters”, — he reminded.
Novak added that the final price of gas for Ukraine in the first quarter amounted to 212 USD per thousand cubic meters. “With effect from 1 April of the current year the price for gas Ukraine will fully comply with the existing contract between “Gazprom” and “Naftogaz of Ukraine””, — said the Minister.
During 2015, the quarterly Russia gave Ukraine a discount on gas by a special government decree on request of Kiev. As a result, in the first quarter of last year, the gas price for Ukraine amounted to $ 329 per thousand cubic meters (taking into account a discount in 100 dollars), the second — 247,18 of the dollar (a discount of 100 dollars) in the third — 247,17 of the dollar (a discount of $ 40). In the fourth quarter contract price could be 247,36, and with the discount $ 20 — 227.36 USD per thousand cubic meters.
In January 2016 between Kiev and Moscow has escalated a dispute over the price of Russian gas. The Russian Federation taking into account the discount offered in price 212 dollars per thousand cubic meters in the first quarter of 2016, however Ukraine has refused, having referred that buys fuel in Europe is cheaper.
In November 2015, the head of “Naftogaz” Andrey KOBOLEV said that Ukraine could become independent from Russian gas in five years. In turn, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said that the country completely got rid of the need to obtain gas from Russia.
In the same month, the head of “Gazprom” Alexei Miller said that Ukraine has cut gas purchases from the beginning of 2015 to four times, up to 10 million cubic meters per day. According to Miller, this occurred because the budget deficit of Ukraine.
