Ukraine closes schools to save gas as Russia keeps pipelines closed

Ukraine has told all schools and higher education institutions to close in an effort to save gas, after its Russian supplier refused to deliver more fuel.

Ukraine’s unused gas in 2013 may cause fines of almost ten billion dollars.

MOSCOW, October 20 (Itar-Tass) - Ukraine’s incomplete receipt of gas in 2013 may cause fines of almost ten billion dollars, the National Energy Security Foundation said, analysing the current situation in Ukraine’s gas market.
The Foundation’s Director General Alexei Grivach says “Naftogaz once again breaches the “take and pay” term and will receive from Gazprom a new invoice in early 2013.”
“We doubt, within the year Naftogaz will be able to buy from Gazprom over 17-18 billion cubic metres. While it is obliged to buy 41.6 billion. As the average contracted price is 410 dollars per one thousand cubic metres, the unused amount will cost close to ten billion dollars.”

Besides, the Foundation says the claims about high prices for gas, referring t gas on reverse gas from Europe, are not quite correct.