Debt for Russian Gas to Be Assessed within Two Weeks

Last Thursday Russia’s Minister of Fuel and Energy Viktor Kaliuzhny and Gazprom CEO Rem Viakhirev arrived in Kyiv for talks. As Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko announced, the Ukrainian side and Gazprom are to within two weeks accomplish “the bureaucratic assessment of all categories of debts,” and completely identify their nature and structure (public and corporate debts) within a month to a month and a half. Mr. Yushchenko noted that both sides had no fundamental differences over the size of debts but they “impart different economic sense” to them. He said the Russian side claimed Naftohaz Ukrayiny owes $1.7-2 billion, this figure also including the debts of commercial entities. Mr. Yushchenko pointed out Ukraine would not pay corporate debts. In his words, the two side are discussing the possibilities of rescheduling the Ukrainian debt and working out mechanisms of paying it. Speaking of future cooperation with Russia, Mr. Yushchenko noted he “will not represent a country that does not pay for gas.”