Russia+Ukraine+Gas+Dispute

Russia Ukraine Gas dispute Tim Thiel 02-10-09 A serious dispute started in March 2005 over the natural gas and transit prices. This dispute culminated on 1 January 2006 with the cutting of gas supplies to Ukraine. The situation calmed on 4 January 2006 when supply was restored and a preliminary agreement between Russia and Ukraine was achieved. Another gas dispute arose in October 2007 over gas debts and culminated in the gas supplies reduction in March 2008. During the last months of 2008 relations between Gazprom and Ukraine again became tense because of a dispute over the size of debts owed by Ukraine On 5 January 2009 Prime Minister Putin instructed Gazprom's __Alexei Miller__ to cut supplies sent via Ukraine to Europe. Putin elaborated that the gas flow should be reduced by the amount Ukraine had allegedly taken since deliveries ended on 1 January 2009.^ Naftohaz denied the accusation and accused Gazprom of cutting the supplies sent via Ukraine from 262 million to 73.6 million cubic meters during the night between 5 and 6 January 2009 In January 2009, the dispute resulted in 18 European countries reporting major falls or cut-offs of their gas supplies from Russia transported through Ukraine (SEE BELOW) On Friday 2 January 2009 __Hungary__ (25%), __Romania__ (30%) and __Poland__ (6%) reported pressure on their pipelines had dropped. __Bulgaria__ also reported supply was falling and that transit to __ Turkey, Greece __ and Republic of Macedonia were affected.[86][63j According to Gazprom "the problem was not with Russia, but Ukraine" that's why it wants to develop "as soon as possible", alternative transit routes __(Nord Stream__ and __South Stream__ pipelines).1^21 The deputy chairman of Gazprom, __Alexander Medvedev,__ hoped EU countries would back these developments.^ On 4 January 2009 Czech Republic (5%) and Turkey (small fall) reported pressure on their pipelines had dropped. __Germany__ and __France__ were unaffected.1621 On 6 January 2009 many countries reported a major fall in supplies from Ukrainian pipelines carrying Gazprom gas Bulgaria has shut down breweries, chemical plants, and smelters because of lack of natural gas Kremlin has hired one of the world's largest public affairs firms, __Omnicom,__ and its __Brussels__ unit, Gplus Europe1^ as well New York units, __Ketchum Inc.__ and Stromberg Consulting.[1811[1821 On the other hand an __ editorial __ in __The Times__ predicted that Russia will lose its' support within the EU because of the conflict Why so mad russia? On 2 January 2009 Gazprom accused Ukraine of stealing gas;1621 these accusations were repeated later by Gazprom and Russian officials. M On 7 January 2009 Gazprom said that since the beginning of 2009, Ukraine has stolen more than 86 million cubic meters of gas. According to Naftohaz it is not stealing gas but using this amount of gas for as a technical gas for compressor stations, in order to ensure the transit of Russian exports and diverting some gas to maintain pressure in the pipeline network
 * __ HISTORY OF DIPUTES; __**
 * Impact on European countries **