Reuters: Ukraine lowers Russia gas imports due to tight finances, weather

Ukraine has slashed gas imports from Russia this month because of stretched state finances and mild weather, acting energy minister Eduard Stavytsky was quoted as saying by Russia's Itar-Tass news agency on Wednesday.

The overthrow of Ukraine's pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovich at the weekend sparked concerns that Russian state gas exporter Gazprom might exert pressure on a country whose new leaders look set to pursue a pro-EU course.

Ukraine's state energy company Naftogaz had reduced its imports of gas from Gazprom to 28 million cubic metres (mcm) per day as of Feb. 24 from 147 mcm at the beginning of the month, two Russian industry sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

"In this situation when we have difficulties in collecting money ... and a significant gas debt to Russia, we decided to buy less fuel," Stavytsky was quoted as saying. He also noted that the weather had been mild, which would lower demand for heating.  MORE