Ukraine Lays Out Short-Term Gas Predicament

摘要

While talks with Russia regarding a comprehensive deal on debt repayment and natural gas price continued, Ukraine's prime minister outlined the country's short-term gas predicament in a speech to parliament (IOD Jun.3'14). Arseniy Yatsenyuk told lawmakers on Tuesday that the government would under no circumstances pay the "political price" of $500 per thousand cubic meters ($14.15 per MMBtu) and the only acceptable price for Ukraine would be $268.5/Mcm (IOD May30'14). This contrasts with the stance of European Union leaders, who suggested that a fair price for Ukraine would be $350-$390/Mcm, which is in the average range for all European gas consumers.