Russia warns of gas risks after Ukraine fails to prepay
Gazprom said there were ‘serious’ risks to gas transit to Europe
Moscow: Russia’s Gazprom said on Tuesday there were “serious” risks to gas transit to Europe via Ukraine after Kiev failed to make a prepayment.
Gazprom said in a statement that Ukraine had 219 million cubic metres (mcm) of gas left that would be used up in two days. With no new payment, Russia would be forced to stop supplies to Ukraine, Gazprom added. “It creates serious risks for gas transit to Europe,” it said. Europe gets around a third of its gas needs from Russia, with roughly half being pumped via Ukraine. On Monday, Ukrainian state energy firm Naftogaz accused Gazprom of failing to supply gas that Kiev had paid for in advance, days after Moscow said it was sending some gas destined for Ukraine directly to regions held by rebels.
