Gazprom received $15 mln from Naftogaz, enough for just a day – Kupriyanov

Gazprom has received a $15 million payment from Ukraine's national oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy, but this amount is only enough for a day's worth of gas, Gazprom's official representative Sergei Kupriyanov told journalists.

"Today at 9:20 a.m. Gazprom received a $15 million payment from Naftogaz Ukrainy. At the currently level of shipments, this prepayment is enough for only about one day," he said.

Energy Minister Alexander Novak told journalists that Naftogaz's prepayment was enough for gas until Tuesday. "If Naftogaz paid for another day, that means there are enough paid resources to last until Tuesday, including Monday; that is, the deadline when prepaid gas runs out is moved by a day if they paid $15 million," he said.

Novak added that the current contract envisions Russia cutting off gas shipments if prepayment is not made. He said this was one of the terms of the contract that was signed.