Last week, a conflict arose between Denys Shmygal and Yuriy Vitrenko at a meeting with the prime minister over the volume of gas pumped into the underground gas storage facilities. This was confirmed by several sources who witnessed the public communication between the prime minister and the head of Naftogaz of Ukraine, reports RBC-Ukraine.

"There was a serious altercation with the use of unflattering language by the head of the NAC. He refused to draw up a schedule for pumping, insisting that so much gas is not needed," said one of the interlocutors.

Vitrenko believes that 19 billion cubic meters of gas is too much. According to the newspaper, he stated this at a meeting in a rather incorrect manner, which caused the indignation of Prime Minister, and confirmed it at a press conference.

"If the government wants to provide the level of 19 billion cubic meters of gas, then, especially considering the schedule, when it is necessary to do it - it is the government's task to provide the necessary funding for the purchase of such a volume of imported gas," Vitrenko said during a meeting with journalists.

Now NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine practically does not import the resource because of the high price and lack of funds for the purchase. But by October, the government decided to accumulate 19 billion cubic meters in storages - this figure takes into account the maximum risks in the preparation process and the passage of the heating season.

This plan includes 10 bln cubic meters already in the UGS (as of early June), plus 4 bln cubic meters of domestic production from June to September and 5 bln cubic meters, which are yet to be imported. Taking into account the rounded figures, the imports may be closer to 6 billion cubic meters. The NJSC does not agree with this volume, considering that it is overstated. Earlier, the company spoke about the possibility of buying up to 3bn cu.m. of gas from imports.