Gas flow to Europe resumes
Published: 21 January, 2009, 01:37
Gazprom has switched on the gas taps to Europe via Ukraine, ending a dispute that has left millions without heat for weeks.
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Russia and Ukraine are due to sign a gas deal on Monday, which will allow the two sides to resume transit of Russian fuel to European customers.
Ever since the gas dispute began Ukraine has been saying it has sufficient gas reserves to survive the row. But it seems Ukraine is already suffering from shortages.
Russian President says that an irrevocable letter of credit given out to Ukraine by a major European bank could serve as a guarantee for Russia until a final deal in the gas dispute is reached.
17.01.2009, 14:00
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“The current gas crisis can be used by Europe as an excuse for pushing forward projects, like the Nabucco pipeline, which could stop Russia being one of their providers,” said Pavel Sorokin from the Unicredit Aton bank.
Russia says that Ukraine is deliberately blocking the resumption of gas supplies to Europe through its territory. Gas supplies to at least 15 countries have either been cut off completely or severely reduced.
Russia and Ukraine have signed a gas deal on Monday which will allow the two sides to resume transit of Russian fuel to European customers. Gas will soon start moving to Europe after it enters Ukraine's pipelines.
Several European countries have had their deliveries of gas through Ukraine cut off, a situation which the EU describes as “unacceptable”. Gazprom says Ukraine's energy company has shut off a number of pipelines.
Gazprom says Ukraine’s shut all 4 pipelines which send gas to Europe, causing several countries to run out of fuel. But Ukraine claims that Russia stopped delivering all gas to Europe through its territory on Wednesday.
Vladimir Putin says Russia is ready to take part in the privatisation of Ukraine's gas transport system, if Kiev agrees. The Russian Prime Minister was speaking as the energy dispute between the two countries continues.
‘The Ukrainian leadership should admit that the country’s economy reached bankruptcy even before the gas conflict with Russia,’says Kirill Koktysh, political analyst at Moscow State University of International Relations.
Published: 21 January, 2009, 01:37
Gazprom has switched on the gas taps to Europe via Ukraine, ending a dispute that has left millions without heat for weeks.