MOSCOW, January 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's industry and energy minister said Friday that Ukraine had to return to the norms of the gas contracts and limit energy consumption inside the country.
"Russia is doing its utmost to ensure Gazprom honors its natural gas supply commitments to Italy," Viktor Khristenko said following talks with Italy's minister of productive activities.
However, he said that the concern's attempts had been frustrated by Ukraine's open unsanctioned use of gas supplies.
"I am absolutely positive that Ukraine must return to its contractual obligations on gas imports, as well as take measures to limit energy consumption," Khristenko said.
Claudio Scajola echoed the statement, saying Ukraine must not use gas in amounts above those stipulated in its contract with Russia. "Contracts are to be observed by all parties without exception," he said.
Scajola said he had agreed with his Russian counterpart Friday that Italian companies should participate in projects to develop natural resources in Russia.
According to Khristenko, Russia supplied 25 billion cu m of natural gas, 25 million metric tons of crude oil (over 502 bbl/d), and around 4 million metric tons of oil products in 2005.
On Wednesday the minister had urged Ukraine to limit its domestic electricity consumption, rather than trying to solve its domestic energy shortage problem by taking gas from its neighbors, in particular Poland, which has been equally hit by the freezing weather.
Yekhanurov conceded Wednesday that his country had been using more natural gas than usual recently because of the unusually low temperatures, adding that Europe had expressed understanding over the difficult situation caused by the recent freeze.
"We have reached a consumption level of 427 million cubic meters per day, including 161 million cu m for consumer purposes," Yekhanurov said. "That is 70 million cu m more than previously."
Russian energy giant Gazprom said Thursday Ukraine had caused Europe's 326-million cu m shortfall in natural gas supplies during January 19-25, saying it tapped up to 80 million cu m of additional gas per day.
