KGB Tightens Screws on Ukraine (Natural Gas Story)

The Brussels Journal ^ | 01 January 2006 | Paul Belien

[lowbuck]

Another view on the current game of "chicken" between Putin and the commies and the folks of the Ukraine.

Germany may think they are in the catbird seat with this new pipeline that Schroder setup for a little kickback, but, hey he is a capitalist.

Today Eastern Europe. When does Russia give the squeeze to the West? Maybe when it starts to get real cold here in Germany/EU land the EU might decide to get some backbone and . . . and. . . No I guess backbone and EU is sorta like military and intelligence!

Happy New Year everyone.

[Luigi Vasellini]

The former KGB chief Putin needs to have an accident. He is arming the muzzies and trying to strongarm sovereign nations.

[spanalot]

Putin is reneging on a contract that extends until 2009 - Of course Ukraine is in the right.
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Mirror Weekly interviewed PM Yekhanurov.

Excerpts

Now the main thing. Will there be gas in Ukraine since January 1, 2006?

- I believe that the contract will be carried out and the gas will be supplied. But… we will still be conducting nervous negotiations.

- You mean the gas will be supplied despite the unfinished bargaining?

- As a matter of fact there is a contract between Naftogas of Ukraine and Gasprom of Russia on volume and conditions of transit of Russian natural gas through the territory of Ukraine for the period between 2003 and 2013. It is currently in effect. I cannot imagine how a public company bound by contract obligations can refuse to fulfill them. I asked the deputy head of Gasprom, Oleksandr Riazanov, during our negotiations in Moscow on December 19 in the presence of the head of the Russian Cabinet Mikhail Fradkov: “Is the contract effective?” And he said: “Yes.”

- Then why do the Russians say that they will stop contract supplies of gas to Ukraine on January 1, 2006?

- One can always find a reason to make a statement. But in article 14 of this contract it is clearly stated that: “This contract comes in effect on January 1, 2003… It remains effective until 10 am on January 1, 2014.” And one more thing: “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.”

[seppel]

Schröder as 7 court cases filed against him by German citizens for taking advantage of his office by setting up his job as Putin's ally.

Sieben Strafanzeigen gegen Schröder

[lowbuck]

Thanks for the heads up! I don't hold out much hope that the people will "get" Schroeder (just like Billy Jack Clinton is still walking free), but I would love to see the Germans undo this pipeline deal.

The EU as a whole has a very week political class who are easily used by whomever. They see a short term gain and the people get the long term pain. Example. Iran. . . a good business partner who pays in cash on time. Don't worry about the mushroom cloud over Munich ten years down the road. This pipeline is more of the same!

[RusIvan]

So lying russophobic article.

Just one passage.

In the 1930s Russia robbed Ukraine of its food supplies. ==

Russia in 1930? What Russia exsisted in this year?

Other things. Each string is one lie.

Accually the problem is that Ukraine do not want to pay market price and steal gas. They stole today about 18% of europian transit.

[RusIvan]

but I would love to see the Germans undo this pipeline deal.===

If Gerrmans "undo" pipeline deal then Russia "undo" whole supply of Europe by her gas.
Russia will not allow ukranian stealing anymore. But only North Baltic pipeline which bypass Ukraine may garantee it.

If Europe will live without russian gas then Russia will sell it to asian countries.

[dbostan]

Neahhh.
2006 is not 1945...
The Eastern Europe can sustain the Russian blackmail.
And that certainly will not help endear Russians more.
They are already despised by all the previous communist countries.

[Lukasz]

If Europe will live without russian gas then Russia will sell it to asian countries.

LOL You will blackmail them as well?

[nikola]

Hey, maybe Soros will pay for their gas just like he paid for their Orange "Revolution".

[Cheburashka]

I agree with you that recalling something done in the 30's is unfair. The Russia of today is not the Stalinist state of yesterday.
But if Russia and Ukraine have a contract for gas at $50, Russia is entitled to $50, whether the present market price is higher or lower than $50. That's the point of a contract. If the market price was $40, then the Ukraine would still have to pay $50.
If Russia withholds gas that it agreed to provide for $50, then Russia is breaking its word, its contract, and some people would say that Russia is stealing.

[RusIvan]

If Russia withholds gas that it agreed to provide for $50, then Russia is breaking its word, its contract, and some people would say that Russia is stealing.==

The problem is that they no conract for $50. They just lying about thier own people.
Just test. Let them go to court if they have such conract. They will not. Since they have not it.

[Cheburashka]

You say they have no contract. If there is no contract, then Russia can charge any price they want. And the Ukrainians are stealing, and will have to make good on their theft.
However, IF(and note that I said IF) it turns out that there is a contract, then the Ukrainians are only taking what is theirs by right. It is then the Russians who are stealing and will have make good on THEIR theft.
Russia, when it was an empire, and as part of the Soviet Union, has not been fortunate in its rulers. Are you so sure that that the present occupants of the Kremlin are not lying to you, as so many of their predecessors have before?
I point out that Belarus is being sold gas at $47 dollars, which is even less than Ukraine says their contract calls for them to pay. Lukashenko is a rat b-st-rd and the same as Stalin. Being in bed with him does not put Russia in the best of light. Since you hate Stalin, Lukashenko should not be on your list of friends.
I am a friend of Russia, and want this resolved as fairly as possible to all concerned. But IF there is a contract then Russia is just ensuring that that the grievances of the past will continue to be the grievances of the present. Russia and all of its neighbors need to work together for make themselves economically prosperous. Using gas supplies as a club to beat other countries is likely to damage Russia's relations with its neighbors. That puts all of Eastern Europe further behind.

[STD]

Some humble observations; "Western Europe, however, is dependent for the gas that it buys in Russia on pipelines running through Ukraine."

Wrong, Russia alone is economically dependant upon the revenues generated by this pipeline. Not the opposite, because the commodity will find it's way to the Ukraine and the rest of Europe. Simple supply and demand.

The key is the pipelines that cross the Ukraine. It will take billions to build new ways to physically get around the Ukraine. New tanker fleets, or a new pipeline around the Ukraine.Good Luck there Puti-pute!

Time to pay up Puti-pute!Terrorize the whole world with your demonic USSR, there has to be a bill due and oweing!

Russia needs to pay for the murders of millions of innocents. I don't think that the bill that's due has even been delivered to Russia.Truely the crippled old man of Europe. You can't terrorize the planet without paying the bill owed to mankind! Now, since you have decided to give Iran nukes to mess with the USA and Europe, that bill needs to be even HIGHER.

And by the way, we know you are selling nukes to the Mad Mullahs in Iran. I've got a few short words for you Puti-pute, "Ohio Class".

They need to tax the Putin/NKVD/KGB about 300% to transit the country of Ukraine. Yup, that's about the right tax bill. 300%

BTW, you are a short little twit of a man!

[Wiz]

ping

[Mulder]

Welcome to the Resource Wars of the 21st century. Expect more.

[RusIvan]

The key is the pipelines that cross the Ukraine. It will take billions to build new ways to physically get around the Ukraine. New tanker fleets, or a new pipeline around the Ukraine.Good Luck there Puti-pute!==

Russia can EASILY to postpone few years until NEP will be operational. But Russia will NOT tolerate those ukranian gas thiefs.

[RusIvan]

And by the way, we know you are selling nukes to the Mad Mullahs in Iran. I've got a few short words for you Puti-pute, "Ohio Class". ==

You know it? Who inform you? Ukranian gas thiefs again?:))))

[lizol]

Eastern European ping list

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FRmail me to be added or removed from this Eastern European ping list

[globalheater]

Could you please explain what kind of blackmail you are refering to ?

I don't see the whole point of the discussion ...

The russians are demanding the world-market price for natural gas from the ukrainians - so what ?