Ukraine overpays almost USD 15 billion to Gazprom - expert
KYIV, May 8 /Ukrinform/. The Ukrainian side overpaid almost USD 15 billion over duration of the gas contract between Gazprom and Naftogaz of Ukraine.
This was announced by director of energy programs of the Centre Nomos Mykhailo Honchar at a press conference in Kyiv, Ukrinform reports.
“On the gas contract with Gazprom, Ukraine overpaid USD 14-15 billion,” Honchar said.
The expert said that considering the European market prices for gas, at which Gazprom is selling hydrocarbons, Ukraine was paying more to the provider throughout the whole period of the gas contract.
“Even the price of USD 268.5 per 1,000 cubic meters, which Russia presented as preferential for Ukraine, was at that time higher than the price on the spot market in Europe,” the expert said.
He also noted that Gazprom under the existing contract had to transport through Ukraine annually to 112 billion cubic meters of gas, which it did not observe (last year, 87 billion cubic meters were transported - Ed.), due to this Ukraine has suffered losses of about USD 5 billion.
“For the first time, not a backstage dispute will be resolved in relations between Ukraine and Russia, but openly at the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, and Ukraine has all chances to win,” Mykhailo Honchar noted.
Note, Russia breached and then abrogated its contract with the Ukraine which exchanged the privilege of using naval and military bases in the Crimea for deliveries of natural gas at prices substantially lower than the spot market.
Have you ever read this contract?