MOSCOW, December 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russian energy giant Gazprom has set up a headquarters to ensure uninterrupted natural gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine, the company said in a statement Tuesday.
The HQ comprises the heads and experts of all Gazprom branches.
"Similar headquarters have been set up at Gazprom subsidiaries responsible for natural gas transportation to the Ukrainian border," the statement said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Gazprom Chief Executive Alexei Miller told Russia Today TV that the company would stop gas deliveries to Ukraine if a contract was not signed by January 1, 2006.
"The situation regarding Ukraine causes concern," Miller said. "No contract has been signed for Russian gas supplies to Ukraine or for Russian gas transit via Ukraine."
The current contract is set to expire December 31, 2005.
Ukraine insists on raising transit fees from the current $1.09 to $3.50 per 1,000 cu m per 100 km, which would offset the market gas price defined by Gazprom.
