Ukraine will run out of its pre-paid gas from Russia within four days, according to Russia's Gazprom CEO on Tuesday.
Ukraine's natural gas imports from Russia have decreased due to financial instability in the state-run energy company Naftogaz.
'As of now, at the current low level of gas, the off take paid-up gas will only suffice for four days – until Saturday, Nov. 14,' Alexey Miller told TASS news agency.
'Ukraine has reduced volumes of its gas purchases from Russia by four times to 10 million cubic meters per day compared with the beginning of the month due to Naftogaz' financial deficit. Simultaneously, its purchases from Europe are also declining,' Miller explained.
Naftogaz made a prepayment of $24 million to Gazprom on Nov. 5 which Miller said previously would provide natural gas to Ukraine until Nov. 10.
Ukrainian Naftogaz paid $234 million on Oct. 12, $136 million on Oct. 20 and $64 million at the end of October totaling $434 million for 2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas.
By Ugur Ertas
Anadolu Agency
enerji@aa.com.tr