Ukraine Plans Gas Purchases to Russian Dependance

Ukraine is reported to be taking small steps to reduce it dependance on Russian gas imports.

Zerkalo nedeli is reporting that a contract is pending with RWE for Ukraine to purchase three million cubic meters of spot gas.

"NaftogazUkraine plans to sign a short-term contract with Germany's RWE to deliver spot gas, bought in Europe, through Slovakian pipelines to Ukraine. The signing is likely to happen in the nearest future," the paper said.

Ukraine is also reported to be holding talks with Turkey and Bulgaria for the delivery of gas from Turkish storage facilities through the Bulgarian gas transportation system.

Ukraine and Russia have been in a protracted dispute over long-term gas pricing.

Ukrainian imports of Russian gas spiked to 3.1 billion cu m in February as a result of severe coldspell (vs. 1.8 billion cubic meters in January 2012). The annual average Russian gas price for Ukraine for this year stands at $416 per 1,000 cu m.