Édito de Tymchuk (1/2)
Tymchuk : The Third Gas War and Kolomoyskiy’s Wall | Euromaidan PR
►http://euromaidanpr.com/2014/06/16/tymchuk-the-third-gas-war-and-kolomoyskiys-wall
Third Gas War: Prologue
On June 13, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk ordered Naftogaz Ukraine, relevant ministries, and regional state administrations to prepare for a complete suspension of Russian supplies of natural gas as of Monday, June 16. The PM also ordered the National Energy Regulatory Commission (NERC) to establish economically viable rates for the transit of Russian natural gas through Ukrainian territory.
In turn, Gazprom boss Alexei Miller announced that Ukraine would be moved to a system of advance payment for natural gas as of 10:00 a.m. on June 16: “No payment, no deliveries.” In addition, Miller emphasized that this extension was the final one and was made solely at the request of the European Commission, while Kyiv was resorting to “outright blackmail.”
Such is the current state of the latest round of trilateral negotiations among Ukraine, Russia and the EU. Essentially, there has been no progress.
Recall that Russia has set ‘final’ dates for moving Ukraine to the system of advance payments twice already. These dates were 2 June, 9 June, and now 16 June. The toughening of Moscow’s position on the natural gas front and potential escalation with complete suspension of gas deliveries is largely due to an increasingly complex international environment for Russia.
This week, the situation with the construction of the South Stream bypass pipeline deteriorated dramatically. The key countries—Bulgaria (as the entrance into the continent) and Serbia—have officially announced that they are suspending their participation in the project. The final decision of these states regarding their involvement in the pipeline’s construction will be made after the European Commission’s findings on whether South Stream complies with EU antitrust legislation.
Anticipant la suspension des livraisons à l’Ukraine, Gazprom rappelle Naftogaz à ses obligations d’acheminement aux clients en aval.
Gazprom to supply gas to Europe in full ; Ukraine obligated to ensure transit
▻http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/gazprom-to-supply-gas-to-europe-in-full-ukraine-obligated-to-ensure-transi
Gazprom will supply the full volume of gas for European consumers specified in its contracts and Naftogaz Ukrainy is obligated to ensure uninterrupted gas transit to acceptance points in Europe, Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov told journalists.