Gazprom spokesman Sergey Kupriyanov gave a video conference on 24 December, 2008, during which he updated reporters on the latest news regarding gas debt negotiations with Naftogaz Ukrainy. Kupriyanov disclosed the amount of unpaid debt, as well as the late fees owed by Naftogaz Ukrainy. He informed reporters on several compromise solutions proposed by Gazprom and ensured the safety of gas supplies to Europe.

• Gazprom spokesman Sergey Kupriyanov said that Ukraine owes $805.8 million for November and $862.3 for December. Additionally, the fines and penalties amount to about $450 million.

• "We got paid for October. We were clearly told today that we will not be paid for November-December,” Kupriyanov said.

• "In the case that we will not have a contract for 2009, we will not supply gas without a contract. We will not be able to carry out supplies until we have a contract,” Kupriyanov said.

• Kupriyanov said that when asked if Ukraine will pay off its debt by the end of the year, Naftogaz Ukrainy head Oleg Dubina said: “No.”

• Kupriyanov said: “The contract stipulates that Ukraine must pay for each month’s supplies no later than the end of the month in which the gas was supplied. It is obvious that these conditions will not be fulfilled.”

• Kupriyanov ruled out Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko’s proposal to return gas stored in underground storage. "Even IKEA’s return policy is 30 days, and our contract does not have this option. With regard to the possibility of selling this gas to other countries, that is one of the topics that could be discussed.”

• Kupriyanov noted that the Ukrainian side insists on signing a new contract, without paying off its debt to Gazprom. "In principle, we agree to enter the New Year with a new contract. But debts must be paid off before that.”

• Kupriyanov said that there are principle differences between the current situation and what happened in 2005. “We have two separate contracts and the Ukrainian side has grounds to fulfill its obligations. Ukraine is well-prepared for the winter. There is a lot of gas in underground storage, which means that there are technical possibilities to carry out the transit contracts.”

• Kupriyanov said that the assessment of Russia's actions in 2005 was more due to the euphoria caused by the Orange Revolution. "Now the position of our Ukrainian colleagues is more pragmatic. The Ukrainian side has recognized that the debt must be paid."

• Kupriyanov said that Gazprom offered Ukraine to pay for gas transit through its territory at the current rate of $1.7 per thousand cubic meters per one hundred kilometers to help pay off Ukraine’s gas delivery debt. He said that Ukraine proposed an increase for that fee.

• Kupriyanov said that the price of gas to Ukraine in 2009 would be acceptable to consumers. "With regard to prices, it may be perfectly acceptable for Ukrainian consumers," stressing that the problem is not with the price of gas for 2009, but with the current debt. “We will agree on the price, taking into account market conditions and the European price.”

• Kupriyanov said that Gazprom has not yet started the technical preparations to shut off gas to Ukraine but hour X is 1 January.

• Kupriyanov said: “We will deliver the full volume of gas destined for transit and we will fulfill all our obligations towards European consumers.”