Russia presents Ukraine with the invoice
(BRUSSELS2) The president of Gazprom, Alexei Miller is extremely sorry... But, on Tuesday (October 29), he had to resolve to act towards his Ukrainian client. Like a bailiff who would reach the last moment to recover his debt, he publicly expressed his extreme " concern " sure " the current situation of payments for Russian gas in Ukraine ».
We cut the credits... before the gas
According to the Russian gas company, Ukraine, deeply affected by the recession, owes it $882 million! All credit is now cut off. Gazprom will introduce "the method of payment in advance in gas deliveries" to Ukraine. Russian Prime Minister (and former Gazprom leader) Dmitry Medvedev drove home the point by declaring the "critical situation" and calling on Ukraine to pay its debts. An economic sanction that could lead to the closing of Ukrainian taps as winter approaches.
The energy weapon is back in action
After three inactive years, the Russian energy weapon is thus back in service a few days before the signing of the Ukraine association agreement with the European Union, expected at the Vilnius summit on November 28 and 29. A perfect coincidence. Faced with Russian pressure, European support is however long overdue...
Russia plays its trump card
In the Kremlin, they deny any link with the Vilnius Summit and the signing of the agreement. But for the past few months, Russia has in fact been increasing its demonstrations of force against the European Union and the former Soviet republics, members of the Eastern Partnership: Russian embargoes on Ukrainian confectionery and Moldavian wine this summer, strict application of health rules Lithuania, diplomatic incidents with the Netherlands, incarceration of Greenpeace activists who took over an oil rig...
Europe is looking for its answer
On the European side, an ultra sensitive affair obliges, it is caution that prevails. The European Commission refused, yesterday, to comment on a situation that it wants the exclusive business of " two states "... If no form of pressure coming from Russia seems acceptable in the European corridors, Europe is careful not to take the lead..." for the moment " one murmurs. There is indeed a precedent. During the Russian embargo on Moldovan wines, the European Union thus opened its markets to Moldova. According to some, similar solidarity measures could be envisaged for Ukraine in the event of a gas cut. Still hard to see how. Next episode
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