Photo from UNIAN
National Joint Stock Company Naftogaz Ukrainy intends to buy Russian gas only if necessary and given favorable market conditions, Naftogaz Chief Andriy Kobolev told reporters.
"We will purchase for Russian gas as it may be necessary. When we see that market conditions are favorable, we will buy. If we believe that the price will go down, why buy something now that will be cheaper in a week?" Kobolev said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, following the tripartite agreements reached earlier in Brussels, Ukraine finished 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.
Read alsoUkraine's daily purchases of Russian gas down to 10mcm – Gazprom CEOSince November 1, imports of Russian gas have been reduced by three times, while Naftogaz transferred $64 million in advance payments to Gazprom to continue gas supplies.
According to Kobolev, Naftogaz expects the Russian gas monopoly to offer its price for the Russian gas for Ukraine to be purchased in the first quarter of 2016. At this, Naftogaz chief added that the price of $227 per 1,000 cubic meters would be valid until the end of 2015, and the future price could be reduced further. The price for European gas for Ukraine may also become lower, according to Kobolev.
Read alsoNaftogaz expects ruling of Stockholm court on dispute with Gazprom in 2016The average price of gas imports to Ukraine from the EU and Russia in Q3 2015 decreased by $2, to $266 per 1,000 cubic meters compared to Q2 of 2015.