Posted on 01/01/2006 12:39:25 AM PST by HAL9000
MOSCOW. Jan 1 (Interfax) - Gazprom has started to reduce pressure in pipelines that deliver Russian gas to Ukrainian consumers, Russian gas giant spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said in Moscow on Sunday.Gas shipments transiting Ukraine en route to Europe are proceeding in full, he said.
On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Ukraine a three-month gas price freeze as long as the Ukrainian authorities agreed to pay what Gazprom sees as the market price of $230 for 1,000 cubic meters, Kupriyanov said.
"We were ready to accommodate the Ukrainian people's needs and maintain comfortable conditions for our work during the winter season, which is the most difficult period from the point of view of energy supplies. But our offer has been turned down," the spokesman said.
It means that "from the very beginning the Ukrainian authorities had plans to begin to use gas without permission from January 1. To be more precise, they planned to start to steal gas - steal it from European consumers," he said.
Ukraine's rejection "of our proposed solution to the problems will entail catastrophic consequences for the Ukrainian economy and, unfortunately, the fraternal people of Ukraine," Kupriyanov said.
"We believe that it will be extremely difficult - impossible, to be more precise - for the authorities of Ukraine to explain to their people the reason for such a short-sighted policy," the spokesman said.
If Russia would be a normal country then both of them would pay higher price for many year (I dont say that as much higher as Gazprom demands actually from Ukraine). Only political calculations, which have anything to do with free market capitalism caused such low level of prices. It must be said that Ukraine had a quite new contract with Russia made just before orange revolution. It was calculated to improve Victor Yanukovochs chances to beat Yuschenko. Yanukovich was Prime Minister at that time and when he signed this contract it was presented in their media as his great personal success. Finally now when we all know that Yushchenko won, the Russians changing their mind.
I know. It´s a huge scandal what´s going on here. Putin, the Kremlin, Russia use their energy as a political weapon. We cannot and must not tolerate this, especially considering that the three Baltci EU members depend on 100%, Poland and Hungary depend on 80% on Russian gas.
Gazprom wants in return for promising low gas prices the full control and property over and of the transit pipelines through the Ukraine. That means in the global picture they want the possibility to blackmail the EU.
We surely have to diversify our energy as soon as possible = getting more independant from Russian gas. It IS fault to build the Baltic Sea pipeline, with access only to Kaliningrad and Germany. That means that Russia could control the individual access of gas to Germany by cutting off Poland and the Baltic states. This is not in the interests of Germany or the European Union.
I´m confident that our leaders will do something about it. You, my friends in Poland, will soon see that Russia should not mess with the EU. By now, we are in the stronger position.
Oh, and it gets even better: Schröder´s government has given up a credit to Russia about 5 billion ! Imagine that! Putin got 5 billion for free! If that´s not more than suspicious. Actually, this should be enough to charge Schröder with high treason. Unfortunately, it is not enough.
Recently the succeed in this in Belarus and actually try to take control over Georgian pipelines. In the past they have quite famous gas war with Bulgaria.
by cutting off Poland and the Baltic states
Look at the map, it is not only Poland and the Balts
Schröder´s government has given up a credit to Russia about 5 billion !
You have it as in Russian bank! :) This is old Polish saying
The Ukraine shall pay the same price as Belarus, especially because both countries have the same conditions in their treaties.
We are in the stronger position, because Russia - at the moment - depends more on the trade and economic support with and of the EU than we depend on their gas. Nuclear energy is part of the solution, and thus essential for our national energy and security.
The Baltic pipeline is idiocy at best. We don´t need to waste hundreds of millions to allow Russia blackmailing Poland or the Baltic States. I suggest you read the handelsblatt.de commentatory (Energie als Waffe) of today.
I think it´s unfair to charge Belarus with different prices than the Ukraine.==
Belorus ar efriends of Russia. Ukarine are enemy. So why Russia has to treat friend and enemy alike?
We surely have to diversify our energy as soon as possible = getting more independant from Russian gas. It IS fault to build the Baltic Sea pipeline, with access only to Kaliningrad and Germany. That means that Russia could control the individual access of gas to Germany by cutting off Poland and the Baltic states. This is not in the interests of Germany or the European Union. ==
Okey then Russia will turn to east and selll her gas to China. Will it make you happy?
Russia won't allow Ukranian stealing and on verge to cut off whole europian supply because of insecurity. Now you say that NEP is mistake?
No sane state will pump gas if they steal 20% of it.
Go find other source of gas. Start from tomorrow.
We are in the stronger position, because Russia - at the moment - depends more on the trade and economic support with and of the EU than we depend on their gas.==
If you blackmail Russia then surely you will be left with your "stronger position" but without gas.
How is charging capitalist market prices instead of subsidized socialist prices for a land that is no longer a part of their country "thugging" someone? If Puerto Rico were to vote to become independent, should the United States continue to subsidize the building of roads there?
He was also Ukraine's ruler.
Remember that Russia has signed a contract with the Ukraine in 2004, promising stable prices for 5 years? Pacta servanda sunt.
Well, Germany buys 30% of its gas from Russia. Just (!) 30%. And still we are the biggest customer of Gazprom. Imagine what happens when we get more independant from your gas.
Remember that Russia has signed a contract with the Ukraine in 2004, promising stable prices for 5 years? Pacta servanda sunt.==
Remember that you say is the lie spred by ukranian propaganda machine. EACH YEAR the prices and volumes of sells to Ukraine has to be SUBMITTED by mutual outstanding protocols.
WHERE is such protocol on 2006 year? NONE.
Well, Germany buys 30% of its gas from Russia. Just (!) 30%. And still we are the biggest customer of Gazprom. Imagine what happens when we get more independant from your gas.==
Get independent soon. Since Russia will stop delivery through Ukraine sone because of ukranian gas thievery.
NO COUNTRY WILL ALLOW THE THIEVERY OF HER PRODUCT IN AMOUNT OF 20%.
Sorry, but it's your "pro-Russian" candidate which Kuchma supported as everyone knows, Yanukovych was his chosen successor. Everything else you say should be doubted too since you are so ignorant of this fact.
Sorry, wrong again. Gorbachev did everything he could to save socialism in Russia. Yeltsin destroyed your precious USSR in a coup and you hate him for it.
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