Kyiv speaks of difficulties collecting Gazprom’s debt in three countries
Yuriy Vitrenko, an Executive Officer of Naftogaz Group Ukraine, said that Naftogaz of Ukraine faced different willingness of courts in several European countries to consider cases of compulsory recovery of $3 billion from the Russian gas company Gazprom by the decision of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, reports Radio NV.
"We are not able to launch compulsory recovery in Germany," said Vitrenko, as quoted by Interfax-Ukraine. He added that Ukraine has similar problems in Poland and Moldova.
"We see that in some countries, it is easier to do that, but in some countries, speaking diplomatically, I would say it is more difficult," said Vitrenko.
The dispute between Gazprom and Naftogaz concerning gas transit contracts has lasted since 2014. In February last year, the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce ordered Gazprom to pay Kyiv $4.63 for failing to deliver the volumes of gas stipulated by the contract. Taking account $2.1 billion that Ukraine owed Gazprom for gas already delivered, the Russian company was obligated to pay a balance of $2.56 billion. Gazprom managed to have the decision temporarily suspended due to an appeal, but its appeal was later overruled.