Government makes agreements with European companies to cut Russian gas purchases

Diversification of supply of energy resources is one of the key priorities for Ukrainian government, which is implemented in practice, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.

Eduard Stavitsky, Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine, said that agreement on reverse gas supplies through Slovakia will be signed in the near future. Due to this agreement, Ukraine will be able to pump at least 10 billion m3 of gas to be purchased in European markets annually.

This is very important for Ukrainian economy, as the government is aiming to minimize purchases of expensive Russian gas and it succeeds. Now, dependence of our country on Gazprom has been significantly reduced: in 2013, Ukrainian purchases from the company will be about 18 billion m3, instead of 40 billion m3, as three years ago.

It was possible due to successful actions of the government to cut gas consumption, in order to reduce the expenses of foreign currency reserves. According to Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, following the signing of oppressive gas contract in 2009, which led to a drastic increase of gas prices, Ukraine has overpaid Russia nearly 20 billion USD.

To avoid excessive expenses, the government keeps insisting on review of actual gas agreements between Naftogaz Ukraine and Gazprom.