MOSCOW (AFP)--Ukraine will have to pay US$418 per 1,000 cubic meters of Russian gas in 2009 after turning down a far lower offer of $250, the chief executive of Russian energy giant Gazprom (OGZPY) warned Thursday.
"In connection with the rejection by Ukraine of the reduced conditions for the delivery of gas at $250, Gazprom will realize the delivery of gas to Ukraine from January at the European market rate of $418 per 1,000 cubic meters," Alexei Miller said, according to the Web site of state rolling news channel Vesti 24.
Such a price would be double the levels suggested by Ukraine, whose President Viktor Yushchenko said Kiev should buy Russian gas for between $204 and $210 per 1,000 cubic meters