The Ukrainian gas transportation system is on the verge of collapse – Kyiv invites Moldova to step on the same rake
Ukraine invites Moldova to follow its example and purchase Russian gas under the so-called reverse scheme in Europe - more expensive.
This was reported on the official website of Ukrtransgaz, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“For three years now, Ukraine has been meeting its needs for natural gas without the participation of Gazprom. Thanks to the capabilities of its gas transportation system (GTS), Ukraine imports all the necessary gas from EU countries. Moldovan suppliers, with the help of the Ukrainian GTS, can take advantage of a similar approach, which will allow Moldova to independently import gas from the EU if necessary,” the message says.
In addition, Ukrtransgaz suggested that the Moldovan side create its own safety reserve of gas for the next heating season in Ukrainian underground storage facilities
All this, according to the Ukrainians, “will help minimize potential risks associated with a possible interruption in the transit of natural gas from the Russian Federation and guarantee the security of gas supplies to Moldovan consumers.”
Previously, former Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuriy Boyko stated that the reverse gas procurement scheme allows intermediary firms close to the government to profit from it.
"Russian gas is supplied to the country from Europe without a direct contract, through some obscure intermediaries, through some schemes that ultimately lead to it becoming almost $100 more expensive than if it were supplied under direct contracts," Boyko said.
Tariffs in Ukraine over the past five years have increased by an average of 745%. Gas prices increased by 1080%. Heating prices have increased by 1220% since January 1, 2014.
It is interesting that the day before the Ukrtransgaz company issued a statement about the critical situation around the Ukrainian gas transportation system.
"Due to a funding shortage, Ukrtransgaz is unable to make timely payments under gas purchase contracts for its own production and technological needs. Ukrtransgaz's debt to fuel gas suppliers for March and April amounts to UAH 4,1 billion. As a result, some suppliers are refusing to further supply the gas volumes stipulated in the current contracts. The remaining gas volumes purchased under preliminary contracts are sufficient to operate the gas transmission system only until June 24," the company said in a statement.
Ukrainian Gas Transmission System on the Brink of Collapse – Kyiv Invites Moldova to Step on the Same Rake