If Russia wants more for their gas, then they should wait a few years until their contract expires. That would allow Ukraine to find alternate sources if they don't want to pay. ===
The contract betwen Russia and Ukraine tells that prices and volumes of delivery has to be resubmitted by mutual protocols each year.
Tat is the source of today conflict. Ukraine wants subsidised prices of previous year. Russia wants the medium europian price. SO the protocol on 2006 is not signed now.
Ukraine garanteed that transit will be safe but broke her word today when started to steal transit gas.
Russia's move will be stop of transit completely. Until the safety of transit will be garanteed.
OK, if that is true, then it puts Russia in a better light. But it looks as if Ukraine has tried to make a fairly reasonable counter offer. And it remains that Russia is cutting off their fuel supply in the dead of winter.
Russia would still look better if they agreed to accept Ukraine's offer for a limited period, and gave them next summer to come up with the market price or find another source of fuel.
“During the period between 2005 and 2009 the Customer (Gasprom) will sell annually natural gas at the price of 50 US dollars for 1000 cubic meters, which is not subject to change by the parties, from the gas transportation services of Russian natural gas through the territory of Ukraine to ensure the gas balance of Ukraine.”
One cannot have a constant price for 4 years on one hand (Ukranians say) but have to renegotiate every year for price and delivery (you say Russian contract states).
What will happen is the world will be shown two contracts. Which will be the lie?