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.
Lets not forget that Pierre Trudeau the former Prime Minister of Canada tried to do the same thing to the US back in the early 1980's with his National Energy Plan.
There is a precedent.
Stalin was not a Ukrainian. ANd the Ukrainians remember their dead from his planned famines
And Germany would do well to copy the French and build lots of nuclear power plants
I cannot laugh about this conflict. The Russian position is suspicious, after all what happened during the last years. I have zero trust in Putin, he certainly tries to increase his influence. Russia isn´t a true democratic country, to Western standards.
The real issue here is, that Russia uses its gas to blackmail its neighbours (be on our side or pay 500% higher prices!). This should be a warning to all those who believe that Russian gas could be a safe, easy and clean energy source. It´s dumb and foolish of Germany to shut down its nuclear power plants - a step decided under Putin´s buddy Schröder, who know works indirectly for Gazprom.
From a national view, it´s clear which side to stand on. The EU should demand a fair solution asap, or freeze trade with Russia. But... since some EU members are dependant on Russian gas, they simply cannot do that. A really bad situation.
This is typical ignorance of GarySpFC. Ukraine is selling own gas to Poland and buying cheaper from Russia.
Here we have another one of your bald-faced lies. The Russians recently signed a contract to purchase the gas from the Turkmans.
Another sign of your lack of knowledge about this region of the world. Ukraine signed recently contract with Turkmenistan as well and Russians now startes to steal this gas.
... who NOW (not know) works... it´s too late already. :-)
Another sign of your lack of knowledge about this region of the world. Ukraine signed recently contract with Turkmenistan as well and Russians now startes to steal this gas.==
Ukraine didn't do it. Didn't sign no gas with turkmens. They have so called "oral consent" as Yuschenko expressed.
But no contract.
Russia opposite has conract.
Anyways Ukarine has no transit treaty for no thir gas to thier border. Because they didn't sign same treaty about transit throu Ukraine.
The EU should demand a fair solution asap, or freeze trade with Russia. ==
Why not with Ukarine since it is Ukarine who steals europian gas? Any logic?
Well, another good observation. But do you think that this is possible to reverse this tendency with current government without Greens?
Stalin was not a Ukrainian. ==
He is not but not russian either. Ukranians ruled Soviet Union for 30 years AFTER Stalin death. It is the fact.
I think that I KNOW BETTER what MY country is buying!
The real issue here is, that Russia uses its gas to blackmail its neighbours (be on our side or pay 500% higher prices!). ==
I correct:). Be on our side OR pay MARKET price like Germany. Ukraine was charged now the price little lesser then Germany. Do you think it is unfair for Ukarine pay little less price then Germanyy? I think it is fair since they are nearer to Russia geographically.
I think that I KNOW BETTER what MY country is buying!==
maybe they sell you thier own but then steal gas from Russia. This way is it OK?
Thye are thieves. Goverment of Kuchma or goverment of Yuschenko are same.
So maybe then they should stop transfer your gas tothe Western Europe?
It´s dumb and foolish of Germany to shut down its nuclear power plants - a step decided under Putin´s buddy Schröder, who know works indirectly for Gazprom.
Well, another good observation. But do you think that this is possible to reverse this tendency with current government without Greens?==
Let Germany rebuild her nuclier palnts and nuy nuclier fuel from Russia. The best advantage no Ukraine would steal it since the delivery will not go thou her:)).
So maybe then they should stop transfer your gas tothe Western Europe? ===
Let them or Russia will stop it herself. The gas transit through Ukraine is not safe from theft.
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