Ukrainian govt gives Naftogaz $350 mln provided by Canada to buy gas for UGS facilities - PM

MOSCOW. Nov 23 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian government has handed over to the Naftogaz of Ukraine national oil and gas company the 12.7 billion hryvni, around $350 million, provided by Canada to help procure natural gas to fill Ukraine's underground gas storage (UGS) facilities, Ukrainian media quoted Prime Minister Denis Shmygal as saying.

"The government has transferred 12.7 billion hryvni to Naftogaz to purchase gas for Ukrainian storage facilities. Ukraine earlier received this money from the government of Canada. The procedure for using state budget funds for procuring gas in 2022-2023 was endorsed at today's [government] meeting," Shmygal said on Telegram.

Earlier this week, Norway, for its part, provided nearly 200 million euros to help Ukraine purchase gas, the Ukrainian prime minister said, adding that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development earlier agreed to disburse 300 million euros to Naftogaz for these purposes.

"It is a very important element of preparations in order to get through this difficult winter stably," Shmygal said.