Listen to Kupriyanov's interview with Ekho Moskvy (in Russian)

Sergei Kupriyanov made the following remarks during an interview today with Ekho Moskvy: 

·         In regards to claims that there is no merit to penalties and fines for late payment, the 2008 gas delivery contract contained a clause stating that there would be a 3% penalty for each day payment was delivered late.

·         To ensure that European customers are not disrupted, and that there is no illegal siphoning of gas, Gazprom has independent observers monitoring pipeline exit and entrance points. Ukraine is physically refusing to let the observers in and perform their assigned function within Ukraine. 

·         In response to remarks from an aide to Ukrainian Prime Minister Tymoshenko that Ukraine hopes to have a signed contract by January 7, Kuprianov said that Gazprom is here at the negotiating table as soon as Naftogaz Ukrainy is ready.

Kupriyanov also made the following remarks at a separate briefing on Thursday: 

·         In regards to an impasse with the Naftogaz delegation, Kupriyanov stated: "The main problem was not that we disagreed on the price of gas but that the Naftogaz delegation did not have a mandate to sign a new contract.”

·         Gazprom continues to call for a resumption of negotiations. 

·         To ensure an adequate supply of gas for the European market, Kupriyanov stated “Deliveries for export have been increased to 326 million cubic metres per day."