PARIS: Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak has told his French colleague that Ukraine could face a gas shortage this winter. Moscow is trying to avoid a gas crisis similar to the winter of 2006 which left parts of Europe without heat.
“In relation to Ukraine’s gas supplies; more than $400 million has been transferred by Naftogaz to Gazprom. The commensurate volume of gas has been supplied to Ukraine,” Novak told French Energy Minister Segolene Royal in Moscow on Wednesday.
Russian energy major Gazprom renewed gas deliveries to Ukraine earlier this month, after receiving a prepayment from Ukraine. Currently $400 million has been paid out of the $500 million agreed for October gas supplies. The EU has allocated $500 million to Naftogaz to ensure 2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas is in storage for the winter season. Gazprom says that is not enough to last the winter.
