Russia Doesn't Want New Gas Dispute with Ukraine: Putin
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Russia doesn’t want a repetition of the gas disputes with Ukraine over pricing and unpaid bills, said Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding that Ukraine has currently prepaid for enough Russian gas for only two days.
Russia is ready to fulfill its obligations within the terms of the agreement between Gazprom and Naftogaz, but only on a prepayment basis, said Putin on Wednesday as quoted by RIA.
“The prepaid gas is enough exactly for two days, no measures have yet been taken [by Ukraine – Ed.],” he said, adding that he will ask the prime minister and Gazprom to pay more attention to the issue in order to prevent another dispute. “We are ready to fulfill all the obligations, but only within the terms of prepayment,” he said.
A new gas standoff between Russia and Ukraine broke out in mid-February, largely over supplies to Donbass, RT reported.
On February 18 Naftogaz suspended deliveries to the area because of what it said was damage to the pipelines during the military operation. Russia then started supplying gas to Donbass directly, warning that a prepayment delay by Ukraine may deprive the country of further Russian gas.
