Russia - Ukraine Gas Talks Near Collapse

A gas pipe is pictured at an underground gas storage facility in the village of Mryn, 120 km (75 miles) north of Kiev May 21, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Gleb Garanich

Ukrainian PM Says Russia Wrecked Gas Talks -- Wall Street Journal

Orders Officials to Prepare for Shutdown of Russian Gas Supplies

MOSCOW—Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Friday that Moscow has wrecked talks on natural gas supplies and ordered officials to prepare the country for a shutdown of gas deliveries from Russia from Monday.

Ukraine's gas monopoly Naftogaz said earlier Friday that it is ready to repay $1.9 billion in outstanding debt to Russia for gas deliveries if Moscow and Kiev agree on an interim gas price of $326 per 1,000 cubic meters.

An official with the Russian Energy Ministry, who asked not to be named, said the ministry was unaware of Ukraine's willingness to cover the debt or its readiness to agree to a price of $326. If Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom doesn't receive the debt repayment by 1000 Moscow time (0600 GMT) Monday, it will halt gas supplies, switching to a prepayment system.

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More News On Russia - Ukraine Gas Talks

Ukrainian PM orders govt: ‘Prepare for Russian gas imports to stop’ -- RT
Ukraine braces for Russian gas cuts from Monday -- Reuters
Ukraine Prepares for Gas Cut as EU Price Offer Rejected -- Bloomberg
Ukraine suggests compromise gas price in row with Russia -- Reuters
Ukraine, Russia set for gas talks in Kiev -- Reuters

My Comment: As I had said before .... unless Europe coughs up some money to help Ukraine pay-off it's natural gas debt to Russia .... Russia is going to close the taps.