From our news desk:
The Russian state-controlled energy company Gazprom says it has received a $15-million advance payment for gas from Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz, sufficient funds to provide Ukraine with one more day of gas supplies.
Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov confirmed on February 17 that "today at 9:20 a.m. Gazprom received a $15-million payment from Naftogaz Ukrainy. At the current level of shipments, this prepayment is enough for only about one day."
Kupriyanov said the amount of gas Ukraine has now paid for should be sufficient to last until March 2 when the energy ministers of Russia and Ukraine are due to meet in Brussels with officials from the European Union in an attempt to reach a new gas agreement.
Gazprom had threatened to cut off supplies to Ukraine at the end of this month claiming Ukraine had used all the gas it paid for in advance.
Under a deal brokered in October by the EU, Ukraine would continue to receive Russian gas but must pay in advance.
(TASS, Reuters)