/ world today news/ Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered “Gazprom” to wait with the measures planned against Ukraine for non-payment of gas bills, thus delaying a brewing gas crisis in Europe.
Initially, Putin stated that Gazprom should supply Ukraine with gas only in the volume for which it was paid a month before. But he immediately called on the gas company to refrain from demanding that Ukraine prepay for supplies, giving a chance to negotiations, AFP reported.
In a situation where the Ukrainian authorities constantly do not pay on time for the used Russian natural gas and their debts have exceeded 2.2 billion dollars, “Gazprom” should supply Ukraine with gas only in the volume for which it was paid a month before, Putin said. “As much as they pay, so much will they get,” he said at a meeting with the government dedicated to the problem of gas relations with Kiev. But he added that it is advisable for now that Gazprom refrains from moving to prepayment until further consultations are held with the Ukrainians, and tasked the Foreign Ministry with preparing such negotiations. “If, of course, our partners agree to such consultations. If they are not, then there is nothing to talk about,” Putin explained.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev recalled that a Russian-Ukrainian agreement has been in effect since 2009, according to which “one of the conditions for switching to advance payment is if the debts are not repaid”. “If this critical situation continues, I think there are every reason to switch to this system,” added the prime minister. Vladimir Putin accused Europe of not financially supporting Ukraine.
“The situation is strange, to say the least. As you know, our partners in Europe have recognized the government in Kiev, but have not yet done anything to help Ukraine – not even a single dollar or euro. The Russian Federation has not recognized the legitimacy of the authorities in Kiev, but will continue to provide economic support and subsidize the Ukrainian economy with hundreds of millions and billions of dollars for now. But this situation cannot last forever,” Putin said.
Before his speech, there were concerns that Russia could stop the gas supply to Ukraine at any moment, which would also disrupt the transit to Europe. Ukraine has stopped filling its underground storage facilities with Russian gas, Ukrainian Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Yuriy Prodan announced. The reason is that Kiev cannot pay the exorbitant price of $485.5 per 1,000 cubic meters, imposed by Gazprom since April 1, he explained. The filling of the gas storages is necessary not only for internal consumption of Ukraine, but also to maintain the transfer of Russian gas to Europe.
“Kommersant: EU expands its list to 107 people
The EU has drawn up an expanded version of its list for a new wave of sanctions against senior executives, businessmen and journalists in Russia and Ukraine, and it has more than 100 names, Kommersant claims. On April 14, foreign ministers will discuss whether to trigger the list and which names to target for sanctions.
Visa and financial sanctions threaten at least 107 people, including almost all of the country’s top political leadership except for three – President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Those in charge of military intelligence and popular journalists can be added to them, and the category “Russian businessmen” is currently without specific names.
The sanctions may be triggered before the next and far more decisive phase of economic restrictions affecting entire sectors of the Russian economy, which will be introduced in the event of military intervention in eastern Ukraine.
Merkel: Moscow is not helping
German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that Russia is not taking the necessary steps to reduce tensions around Ukraine, Reuters reported. “Unfortunately, in many areas it is not clear that Russia is contributing to de-escalation of the Ukrainian situation,” she said in a speech to parliament. “Therefore, we will continue to do what we are doing – on the one hand, a search for dialogue, and on the other – a clear statement that, according to our position, Ukraine has the right to build its own path of development. We insist on this. Ukraine itself must decide your future,” Merkel stressed. The chancellor said that he supports the proposal of US Secretary of State John Kerry to hold quadrilateral negotiations with diplomats from Russia, Ukraine and the EU.
Negotiations on the crisis start in days
The EC makes a “Troika” for Ukraine
The US, EU, Russia and Ukraine will meet next week at the ministerial level to discuss the Ukrainian crisis, Reuters reported.
The meeting will take place in Europe and will be attended by US Secretary of State John Kerry, EU foreign policy representative Catherine Ashton, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Deschitsa. Lavrov has already confirmed that Moscow is ready for such talks, but he also asked for the participation of pro-Russian protesters from the southeastern regions of the country.
A European diplomat quoted by Reuters said that he plans to create a special support group to help Ukraine stabilize its economic and political situation. The formation will be similar to the representatives of the three creditors of Greece. The Support Group will identify and coordinate with the Ukrainian authorities the necessary assistance they need to stabilize the economy and political situation and implement reforms.
#Putin #averted #gas #crisis #Europe
