Gazprom does not sign a contract with Ukraine until the New Year.

SyuzhetyDolgi Ukraine to Gazprom in 2008 godu17.12.2008 Naftogaz refused to pay Gazprom through tranzitaRossiyskaya gas monopoly Gazprom will not sign with his Ukrainian partner - Naftogaz Ukraine - a contract for the supply of fuel in the next year before the New Year. Told the official representative of Gazprom Sergei Kupriyanov. His words RIA Novosti.
Kupriyanov also said that Ukraine has no plans to pay Gazprom remaining debt of approximately two billion dollars. "This means that the legal basis to supply gas to Ukraine on January 1, we will not" - quoted Kupriyanova Agency.
December 18 Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said that "Naftogaz" paid Gazprom 800 million dollars in debts, as soon intends to pay another 200 million dollars. Kupriyanov confirmed only about 800 million dollars, transmits Interfax. More Ukraine, according to Gazprom, does not intend to pay.
At the same time, "Naftogaza Ukraine stated that they do not know from where did the information about the company's intention not to return the debt.
Earlier, representatives of Gazprom said that would not sign a contract with Ukraine for 2009, while Naftogaz failed to pay debts. So far unclear how the fuel would be carried out to the Ukraine after the New Year. Earlier, in exceptional cases, Gazprom passed gas to Ukraine without a contract, but it is quite possible that this time the Russian monopoly in part to stop the flow.
If this is indeed happens, Ukraine may begin to collect gas that Gazprom supplies to other European countries on Ukrainian pipelines. This has happened in 2006. In 2008, representatives of Ukraine on several occasions stated that they are ready to fulfill all obligations towards the European partners.
Now, Gazprom supplies Ukraine gas at 179.5 dollars per thousand cubic meters. What will be the price in 2009, yet unclear. In the middle of the year, Russian media reported that the cost of gas may podrasti about twice, but since August 2008 oil and gas prices on the world market declined significantly.