Andriy Lobolev / Photo from UNIAN
Following the tripartite agreements reached earlier in Brussels, Ukraine is finishing on October 31 purchases of 2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas from Russia’s Gazprom at a price of $227 per 1,000 cubic meters, Naftogaz chief Andriy Kobolev told journalists on Thursday, October 29.
"We have purchased 2 bcm from them [Gazprom]. We have transferred the advance payment and will finish gas pumping on Saturday," Kobolev said.
"Continuation of gas purchases from Russia will depend on the price," he added.
Naftogaz chief reported that the current price of gas imports from the European Union is lower than the price of the Russian gas from Gazprom.
"We started importing the reverse-flow gas at more attractive prices than that of the Russian gas. These are the small volumes, but they exist," Kobolev said.
Read alsoUkraine accumulates 17 bcm of gasHe also noted that Ukraine would significantly decrease its imports of Russian gas from November 1.
"We have been pumping gas at a record high pace of 114 mcm a day, and it will be reduced to a certain level, which we’ll define," Kobolev said.
Read alsoUkraine, Poland to integrate gas transportation systems"We will balance between the European and Russian gas to optimize [our] purchasing portfolio," he added.