Ukraine cuts natural gas imports by 24.8% in 2018

"In 2018, supplies of imported gas to Ukraine came exclusively from the European gas market. Compared with 2017, gas imports shrank by 24.8%, from 14.1 billion cubic meters to 10.6 billion cubic meters," the statement says.

Both categories of importers reduced natural gas imports - the state-owned Naftogaz from 8.7 billion cubic meters to 7 billion cubic meters (-19.5%) and private companies from 5.4 billion cubic meters to 3.6 billion cubic meters (-33.3%).

Sixty-five companies imported natural gas to Ukraine in 2018 (67 companies in 2017).

The number of European suppliers from which Naftogaz purchased natural gas in 2018 was 18 companies (13 companies in 2017). Neither of these companies supplied more than 30% of the gas imported by the Ukrainian company.

Naftogaz has not been buying natural gas from Gazprom for the fourth consecutive year. In accordance with the terms of the gas supply contract, Naftogaz should purchase at least four billion cubic meters of natural gas from Gazprom, but the Russian company refused to supply the fuel to Ukraine in 2018.