“The possibility exists [that gas deliveries will be cut off] if finances aren’t received for the prepayment of gas volumes…being delivered to Ukraine and we have literally to the end of the week [to wait] for these prepayments,” Novak said.
Novak said if the prepayment is received by the end of the week for Russian gas, then deliveries would begin.
“If payment is received now, tomorrow or before Monday, then the volumes will be delivered,” Novak added.
Russia’s energy giant Gazprom and Ukraine’s national oil and gas company Naftogaz penned an interim deal in October, brokered by the European Commission, enabling gas deliveries to Ukraine for the winter period.
On Wednesday, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin stated that prepayments made by the Ukrainian side were enough to last for only three to four days, and Gazprom could halt the supplies in accordance with the existing contracts unless Kiev makes a further payment.
