Free Republic

(Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Monday oversaw the start of construction on a giant pipeline that is due to ship $400 billion (240.78 billion pounds) worth of Russian gas to China in the three decades after flows begin in 2019.The 4,000 km (2,500 mile) "Power of Siberia" pipeline, being built by state-controlled Gazprom (GAZP.MM), forms a key part of the Kremlin's energy strategy, symbolising Russia's attempts to wean itself off dependence on European markets that account for most of its exports."Just now, we along with our Chinese friends are starting the biggest construction project in the world," Putin told...

Russia will resume gas exports to Europe as soon as EU monitors arrive at gas compressor stations along the route, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. "As soon as people show up there and really sit down and start working, gas will immediately resume flowing," Putin told reporters at his residence outside Moscow. Russia, whose image is being damaged by the gas row, was prepared to pay Ukraine a transit fee of $3-4 per 1,000 cubic meters over 100 km, up from $1.70 now, Putin said. Putin, citing the "collapse" of authorities in Kiev and high-level corruption in Ukraine...