FT Interview with
Hryhoriy Nemyria
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YULIA TYMOSHENKO
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Ukraine Will Pay its Gas Bill
28 May 2009
Published in
Inform
issue #112
See the full issue here.
Ukrainian officials have denied speculation from Gazprom that Naftohaz Ukrainy – Ukraine’s state run gas company – will struggle to pay for gas deliveries in May and should therefore pay its bills in advance. The unfounded speculation follows last week’s meeting between Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and her Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the heads of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan. Top of their agenda was a discussion on gas and the need to prevent any recurrence of the gas dispute earlier in the year.
Gazprom’s most recent concern that Ukraine will struggle to meet its May gas bill was dealt with swiftly by Yuriy Prodan, Ukraine’s Minister for Fuel and Energy. “We will make all efforts to ensure that Naftohaz, as it has before, pays for gas deliveries in full and on time."
See the full issue here.
Ukrainian officials have denied speculation from Gazprom that Naftohaz Ukrainy – Ukraine’s state run gas company – will struggle to pay for gas deliveries in May and should therefore pay its bills in advance. The unfounded speculation follows last week’s meeting between Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and her Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the heads of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan. Top of their agenda was a discussion on gas and the need to prevent any recurrence of the gas dispute earlier in the year.
Gazprom’s most recent concern that Ukraine will struggle to meet its May gas bill was dealt with swiftly by Yuriy Prodan, Ukraine’s Minister for Fuel and Energy. “We will make all efforts to ensure that Naftohaz, as it has before, pays for gas deliveries in full and on time."
Political analysts believe that Russia’s choice of
words is an attempt to besmirch Ukraine’s
reputation, in the hope that the EU drops its plans
to help modernise Ukraine’s gas transportation
network and supports pipeline schemes that bypass
Ukrainian territory.
Last week, talks between Prime Minister Tymoshenko and her Russian counterpart ended in stalemate. On the table was a proposal that Russia pay Ukraine five years in advance for the transportation of gas through Ukraine’s pipeline network (transit fees). This would enable Naftohaz to buy gas to fill its underground storage facilities and ensure uninterrupted supplies to Europe.
Prior to the meeting, Russian officials hinted that Naftohaz was in financial difficulty and unable to meet its commitments to customers and replenish gas consumed from its storage facilities. This was denied by Naftohaz. "We're not anticipating any crisis. The financial situation of the company is stable," said Valentin Zemliansky.
First Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Turchynov also dismissed the accusation. "The financial state of Naftohaz remains stable, and there is no basis for the emergence of another gas crisis in our relations with Russia," he said.
The talks ended in stalemate without Russia agreeing to pay advance gas transit fees. “Currently the decision has not been made. But I believe we will find a compromise that will ensure the stable operation of the Ukrainian gas transportation system in the autumn and winter period," said Ms Tymoshenko.
Last week, talks between Prime Minister Tymoshenko and her Russian counterpart ended in stalemate. On the table was a proposal that Russia pay Ukraine five years in advance for the transportation of gas through Ukraine’s pipeline network (transit fees). This would enable Naftohaz to buy gas to fill its underground storage facilities and ensure uninterrupted supplies to Europe.
Prior to the meeting, Russian officials hinted that Naftohaz was in financial difficulty and unable to meet its commitments to customers and replenish gas consumed from its storage facilities. This was denied by Naftohaz. "We're not anticipating any crisis. The financial situation of the company is stable," said Valentin Zemliansky.
First Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Turchynov also dismissed the accusation. "The financial state of Naftohaz remains stable, and there is no basis for the emergence of another gas crisis in our relations with Russia," he said.
The talks ended in stalemate without Russia agreeing to pay advance gas transit fees. “Currently the decision has not been made. But I believe we will find a compromise that will ensure the stable operation of the Ukrainian gas transportation system in the autumn and winter period," said Ms Tymoshenko.