Ukraine has paid to Russia for gas supplies in November after the government is converting their dollars in special drawing rights (SDRs) of IMF, it is clear from the release of Naftogaz Ukraine. Naftogaz paid in full its obligations to Russia, has told the Bloomberg spokesman for the Kiev-based company. But he did not specify the exact amount of the transferred amount. Gazprom spokesman confirmed the information, also without revealing the value of the transfer. On December 2, Finance Minister of Ukraine said that the government is converting SDR two weeks earlier and in time will pay 770 million for supplies of blue fuel. On November 12 he said his country wants to convert 800 million SDRs at 1.28 billion dollars. Ukraine relies on Russia for around 70% of its energy needs and ensure the transit of about 80% of the quantities exported Russian gas to Europe. Under the agreement with Gazprom to Naftogaz to pay for supplies to Ukraine at 7th day of the month following delivery. The country already uses SDR once payment with Russia.
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France is now officially part of the gas pipeline project South Stream. This became clear after French energy giant Electricite de France (EDF) signed a contract with Russian gas monopoly Gazprom to join consortium building the gas pipeline South Stream. News was delivered personally by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is visiting in France. We recall that speculation on the participation of France to be strengthened through direct September, and then wrote to the Russian press. At last unofficial information France will take 10% of the company managing the project. At this stage, Gazprom and Italy’s Eni, divided in equal participation in it. The pipeline aims to diversify supply routes of Russian gas to European Union, bypassing Ukraine. Power of the pipeline system will be 63 billion cubic meters. South Stream project envisages the construction of underwater pipe that will link the Bulgarian Black Sea with the Russian coasts. Pipeline from Bulgaria will be divided into two sections. The first would have notified the south of Greece and Italy, and others will continue to the northwest to Central Europe.
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