MOSCOW, 17 Jul - RIA Novosti/Prime. The refusal of Ukraine of gas purchases in Russia and upload it to the vault under the ground to stockpile for next winter has the ability to be an attempt to aggravate the situation, told reporters the Minister of energy Alexander Novak.

"The fact that they currently do not (buy and) pumped gas in storage under the ground - ed.) Is not of an economic nature question in terms of pictures. It's a question of either lack of money or desire to aggravate the situation, "said Novak, noting that currently has all the rules for the acquisition of "Naftogaz" of Russian gas and its injection into UGS.

From 1 July 2015, Ukraine has ceased buying gas from Gazprom, because the parties could not agree on a proper supplemental agreement to contract in the third quarter. Kiev, for example, not satisfied with the offered by the Russian side, the cost in 247, 18 U.S. (including discount of $ 40). However, as stated the Ukrainian gas transportation system operator Ukrtransgaz, the transit of Russian gas to the European Union via Ukraine is carried out smoothly and fully.

currently, Ukraine receives gas only in reverse from Europe. 1 through July 13, from Slovakia, Ukraine imported 186 million cubic meters of gas.

Russia and Ukraine also differ in their assessments of the needed gas for the winter. The Russian side insists, because It is More than 19 billion cubic meters. The Ministry of energy of Ukraine first declared that in the last heating season Ukraine has enough 16, 6 billion cubic meters. In addition, the head of Ministry of Ukraine Volodymyr demchyshyn has assured that Ukraine for the heating season by purchasing in the European Union alone, without supplies from Russia, will have the opportunity to gain in their own underground storage 18 billion cubic meters of gas.

sections: Politics