Gazprom's prepayment to Naftogaz Ukrainy for gas transit ran out in July and current payments in cash have commenced, Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov told journalists, adding that Ukraine owes over $ 5.3 billion for gas delivered earlier.
“Gazprom’s advance payment to Naftogaz Ukrainy in 2012-2013 secured payment for Russian gas transit services running up to the middle of 2014, partially including July,” Kupriyanov said.
“Despite Naftogaz’s huge indebtedness to Gazprom for natural gas deliveries and the absence of formal documents covering gas transit and the relevant invoices, Gazprom, guided by the principle of obligatory fulfillment of the responsibilities it has assumed as a reliable supplier and partner, has made the additional payment for transit in July to Naftogaz Ukrainy,” Kupriyanov said.
“Gazprom expects Naftogaz Ukrainy to uphold its commitments to pay the debt for gas deliveries and ensure uninterrupted transit of gas through Ukraine,” he said.
The additional payment for gas transit totaled $10.54 million. Gazprom reckons that Naftogaz’s indebtedness (excluding amounts owed under take-or-pay provisions), totaled about $5.296 billion: $1.451 billion for gas delivered in November-December 2013 and about $3.845 billion for deliveries in April-June 2014.
