last week has clearly deteriorated two gas conflict of Russia with Belarus and Ukraine. Minsk actually seeking from Moscow write off gas debt in the amount of 281 million dollars. – either in the form of additional subsidies, either in the form of postponing problems indefinitely. But Kiev calls on Moscow to a special additional agreement on gas supplies, which Russia has so far refused to sign. Both the dispute has not yet moved into the open phase of the gas war, however, such a prospect is quite real.
on Saturday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said that Russia has returned the down payment Belarus, which Minsk has tried “razrulit” a protracted gas dispute with Moscow. As you know, Belarus for a year consumes the Russian gas without paying for it under the current contract. Instead, the Belarusian authorities invented for himself the grace of the “Union” the Russian gas price, which obviously does not suit Moscow. Attempts to resolve the dispute at the level of Ministers, Deputy Prime Ministers and even presidents failed. And Moscow was in the position of involuntary sponsor that issued the deft neighbor interest-free loan larger than a quarter of a billion dollars. In this case, while there are no guarantees that Minsk will not write itself several more similar grants.
“Difficult negotiations. We do not expect payment in advance, we didn’t need a down payment. He went back to them for a long time already” – said on Saturday the Prime Minister. In October, the parties announced the compromise. According to the statements of Minsk, Moscow leaves the price of gas at the same level, but will provide some budgetary compensation. However, the strange fact of the Belarusian advance suggests that a compromise is not achieved completely. Ten days ago, press Secretary of the Belarusian Prime Minister suddenly announced an unscheduled advance payment for Russian gas. Belarus has made an advance payment for Russian gas and expects that in response, Moscow will restore the volumes of supply of oil, explained Belarusian officials.
the Gas conflict with Belarus is developing largely on the Ukrainian scenario, when the consumer of Russian energy carriers, first seeking preferential prices, then demands to increase transit fees and, finally, imposes on Russian suppliers huge fines.
In early December 2016, the Economic court of Kiev has obliged “Gazprom” to pay a fine and interest on arrears totaling about 6.8 billion. Last Friday “Gazprom” has filed an appeal against the decision of Economic court of Kiev. Moscow is seriously concerned that the Ukrainian side will just start weaning the transit of gas to Europe on account of the prescribed penalty.
Ukraine and Russia has raised the stakes in the gas dispute Friday, calling each other a threat to Russian fuel supplies to Europe, reports Reuters. “Gazprom” suspected Kiev of intending to steal the transit gas, “Naftogaz” Moscow – in the preparation of another gas war. Ukraine buys Russian gas for a year, and challenged a 10-year contract with “Gazprom” in the Stockholm arbitration court – like Agency. On Thursday, representatives of the Ukrainian “Naftogaz” said that without concessions from the Russian side, they will not buy Russian gas until the end of winter. “Such statements say about the risks that exist for transit through the territory of Ukraine”, – responded the head of “Gazprom” Alexey Miller.
last Tuesday, at the initiative of the German side were held telephone talks with Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Meanwhile, Putin reiterated the concern that the Ukrainian side refuses to negotiate terms of the winter purchases of Russian gas, which poses a threat to transit to Europe.
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