Ukraine will continue to repay its Russian natural gas debts by supplying
goods. This is the result of the talks between Ukrainian Deputy Premier
Volodymyr Kuratchenko and Russian Gazprom executives in Moscow, Interfax-Ukraine
reports.
Ukraine's total debt for gas to Gazprom is about UAH 1.1 billion. Among
the debtors are the companies Ukrhazprom ($714,692,000 in debt), Interhaz
($235,891,000), United Energy Systems of Ukraine ($42,187,000), Syhma ($44,980,000),
and Motor Sich ($26,124,000). Under agreements reached in 1998, Ukraine
will settle its billion dollar debt for the previously consumed gas by
supplying foodstuffs, logistical resources, construction work, and bills
of exchange.
According to experts at the Naftohaz Ukrayiny National Company, the
critical situation of Ukrainian consumers, as far as gas payments are concerned,
make it impossible to normalize settlements with Gazprom for the gas already
supplied. This in turn raises obstacles in the talks about cutting prices
for Russian natural gas.






