Naftogaz loses money on gas transit: how many and why do Russians underpay

Annually, the Russian Gazprom pays the Ukrainian "Naftogaz" for the transit of "blue fuel" $ 800 million from $ 1. 2 billion. The Russian Gazprom underpay Naftogaz for gas transit through Ukrainian territory, so the Ukrainian company is losses. Oleksiy Chernyshov, the chairman of the board of Naftogaz of Ukraine, said this in an interview with Forbes.

He explained that in May 2022, Ukraine stopped the gas transit through the gas -metering station (DHW) "Sokhranivka" because it was occupied by the Russian army. Naftogaz proposed to transfer gas to Sudzhi DHW, but Russia refused this proposal. Therefore, Gazprom for transit "blue fuel" pays only two -thirds of the contract with a contract - about $ 800 million from $ 1. 2 billion a year.

At the same time, Naftogaz, under the contract, has to book for transit all the capacity of the Ukrainian gas transmission system (GTS). "That is why we now get less than we pay the GTS operator," Chernyshov said. At the same time, Naftogaz is trying to force Russia to pay the entire amount registered in the gas transit contract. Currently, the dispute, as noted by Naftogaz, is considered in the Stockholm Arbitration. "There were preliminary arbitrations with Gazprom in Stockholm.

Today our claim is $ 800 million. According to the results of the year, we will increase it to almost $ 1. 4 billion. The decision we expect in early 2026 we have a strong position, so they are set up for a positive result ", - he said. We will remind, on December 31, 2024 the term of the contract between Ukraine and Russia for the transportation of Russian gas to Europe.

Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Svetlana Grinchuk noted that at a recent meeting of energy ministers held in Paris, many countries have informed Kiev that they have significantly reduced dependence on Russian gas in the last two years. At the same time, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmigal told under which the condition of gas transit will be extended after December 31.

"If European countries are either a consortium or one of the European partners will be a transiter of their gas - we are ready to provide such a service. Here the initiative on the EU side and our European partners," he explained. The head of the Cabinet of Ministers stressed that Ukraine is not planning any new negotiations with Moscow to sign a new gas transit contract.