Ukraine Turns to Poland in Gazprom's Absence

Naftogaz Ukrainy and Poland’s PGNiG have signed a contract for urgent gas supplies following Gazprom’s decision to refuse to supply gas to Ukraine March 1.

The contract began at o6.00am local time March 2, the state-run companies said in similar statements March 2, and is for a minimum 60mn m³ supplied through Hermanowice, the border point where Polish and Ukrainian gas transmission systems connect.

At time of press, the Russian state export monopoly had not responded to NGW's emailed request for an explanation for its inaction, which immediately followed an unfavourable decision by the Stockholm arbitration tribunal February 28. Gazprom said it would contest the judgments.

PGNiG CEO Piotr Wozniak said his company was "prepared to increase the volume of deliveries or extend the effective term of the contract, depending on Ukrainian market demand. PGNiG can ensure stable and secure gas supplies thanks to its diversified portfolio, which is a mix of domestic production in Poland and import supplies including regular deliveries of LNG from Qatar and US."