Ukraine has received partial guarantees from Gazprom on transit of 112 billion cubic meters of gas a year for five years, Fuel and Energy minister Yuriy Boiko said at a meeting on development of the Ukrainian gas transportation system on Friday.
"A document has been signed under which we received, perhaps not 100%, but a firmer position concerning gas transit in the coming five years," he said.
Gazprom has made a $1.5-billion advance payment to Naftogaz Ukrainy for transit services, Boiko said.
"The 112-bcm figure has been set. If less gas is going to be transported, then it will take more than five years to use up the advance Gazprom gave us – $1.5 billion," he said.
The pertinent agreement was reached on December 1, at the same time the settlement concerning transfer of 12 bcm of gas to RosUkrEnergo was signed, Boiko said.
The Ukrainian government is working hard to ensure the gas transportation system will be utilized long term.
"This [the partial guarantees] is only for five years, and we continue work so that in the long term, to 2028 and beyond, there are good prospects for the operation of our gas transportation system," he said.
