Ukraine plans to buy natural gas from Russia

Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan Friday said his country was planning to purchase 2.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Russia starting from November through the end of March 2015.

"According to preliminary plans, we intend to buy up to 1.5 billion cubic metres of gas by the end of the current year and up to 1 billion cubic meters next year, but it will depend on the weather," Prodan said.

Ukraine has not purchased gas from Russia under the "winter deal", which was signed in October, because it has enough gas reserves to cover domestic needs in the short term, Xinhua quoted Prodan as saying.

As of mid-November, Ukraine has accumulated some 16 billion cubic metres of gas in its storage facilities, he added.

Kiev and Moscow Oct 30 inked a gas deal in Brussels, under which Ukraine will receive gas supply from Russia in the cold season on the pre-payment basis.

The winter gas supply plan envisages that Ukraine is not obliged to buy the exact amount of gas or pay for it under the so-called "take-or-pay" principle if it does not import it.