Pressure being lowered in pipelines linked to Ukraine's gas system -Gazprom (Russia)

Interfax (RU) ^ | January 1, 2006

[Lukasz]

I think it´s unfair to charge Belarus with different prices than the Ukraine.

If Russia would be a normal country then both of them would pay higher price for many year (I don’t 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 Yanukovoch’s 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.

[Michael81Dus]

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.

[Michael81Dus]

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.

[Lukasz]

Gazprom wants in return for promising low gas prices the full control and property over and of the transit pipelines through the Ukraine.

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

[stefan10]

In what stronger position are we?

At the moment we are dependent on russian gas and we get more and more dependent on it given the fact that the german resources are decreasing.

The baltic Sea pipeline is in our interest that´s why every party supports it and also the UK and the Benelux countries will get gas from that pipeline.

We need alternatives to russian gas and i would agree in terms of the atomic energy but this will not solve our problem.

In the end the rusians need to export their gas and they are also dependent on selling it. But it is their gas nobody can force them to sell it at a lower price or to sell it at all. The WTO urges Russia for years now to sell natural gas at market prices to the former SU states and stop their "gas policy".

Everybody agrees that the ukraine will have to pay normal market prices as we all do it is just a question of the time.

[Michael81Dus]

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.

[RusIvan]

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?

[RusIvan]

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.

[RusIvan]

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.

[FreedomCalls]

Now comes many years of them thuging eastern and western europe via energy prices and policies.

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?

[FreedomCalls]

I did know Stalin was a Georgian national, but he was Russia's ruler and a maniac.

He was also Ukraine's ruler.

[Michael81Dus]

Remember that Russia has signed a contract with the Ukraine in 2004, promising stable prices for 5 years? Pacta servanda sunt.

[Michael81Dus]

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.

[stefan10]

i read it and i agree but that´s the way it is.

russia makes politics with it´s gas but that´s what they made for decades. All former eastern european countries got cheap gas from russia in the old times of communism. But these days are over and russia only wants market prices as every western company.
They have to find a compromise about the date but not about the fact. No western company would sell their gas for 50$. You can ask the norwegian state company if they sell us their gas for this price i don´t believe you will get an answer.
What would you do in terms of russia?
Glose made it right to signal russia that they have to find an end to this conflict but his other comment does not show the reality. If you look at the map there is no other realistic option to buy natural gas from and we need more. Kohl and Schroeder realized that and following Merkels comments she said the same about that topic simply because that´s the reality we live in.

[RusIvan]

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.

[RusIvan]

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%.

[Tailgunner Joe]

Goverment of Kuchma or goverment of Yuschenko are same.

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.

[Tailgunner Joe]

Mihael Gorbachev the FIRST russian in charge of Soviet Union ever. He ended this state.

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.