Putin Informs European Leaders Ukraine Debt May Affect Gas Transit. Reminding Them That Aid To Ukraine Is Not Infinite.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Putin Informs European Leaders Ukraine Debt May Affect Gas Transit. Reminding Them That Aid To Ukraine Is Not Infinite.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Putin Tells European Leaders Ukraine Debt May Affect Gas Transit

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) speaks at a meeting with top officials on gas deliveries to Ukraine at his Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on April 10.

By RFE/RL

April 10, 2014

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a letter to leaders of 18 European countries warning of a suspension of gas supplies to Ukraine if Kyiv does not pay off its $2.2 billion gas debt.

The Kremlin said on April 10 that Putin told the European leaders that the "critical situation" over Ukraine's debt could impact the transit of Russian gas to much of Europe.

He wrote that the state-controlled energy giant Gazprom would be "compelled to switch over to advance payment for gas deliveries" for Ukraine and that if Ukraine remains unable to settle its debt, Gazprom "will completely or partially cease gas deliveries."

Putin raised concerns about Ukraine siphoning off gas from pipelines leading to Europe and said Ukraine needed some 11.5 billion cubic meters of gas, worth some $5.5 billion, to fill the country's underground storage tanks.

Putin also wrote Russia is prepared to take part, along with the European Union, in efforts to restore Ukraine's economy.

Aid to Ukraine not forever: Putin

April 10, 2014 International

Vladimir Putin

MOSCOW. — Russia does not recognise the legitimacy of Ukraine’s new authorities, but continues its economic assistance to its crisis-hit neighbour, a situation that will not last forever, Russian president Vladimir Putin said yesterday.
“As you know, our partners in Europe recognise the legitimacy of the current Kiev authorities, but are doing nothing in order to support Ukraine; not a single dollar, not a single euro,” Putin said.
“The Russian Federation doesn’t recognise the legitimacy of the authorities in Kiev, but will continue to give it economic support and subsidise Ukraine’s economy with hundreds of millions and billions of dollars for now.
“This situation, of course, can’t continue eternally,” the Russian leader added.
He demanded that Russia remain disciplined and fulfil all contract obligations with Ukraine, but added that the country must be prepared to replace Ukrainian goods and correct state defence orders.
“I ask you to be disciplined and fulfil all contract obligations with our Ukrainian partners, but we need to be prepared for any development in the situation . . . including import replacements,” Putin said during a meeting of senior officials.

Little expected from Ukraine talks

Updated: 04:53, Thursday April 10, 2014

The US says it is going into an upcoming meeting with Russia, Europe and Ukraine on the crisis in the former Soviet republic with low expectations.
'I have to say that we don't have high expectations for these talks, but we do believe it is very important to keep that diplomatic door open and will see what they bring,' Victoria Nuland, assistant secretary of state for European affairs, said on Wednesday.
US and EU diplomats have agreed with Russia to hold four-way negotiations involving Ukraine next week to de-escalate the worst European security crisis in decades.
An EU diplomat said the talks would likely be held on April 17 in Vienna.
In signs that Russia will continue its pressure on the Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has warned the country may begin requiring advance payment for gas supplies unless Ukraine comes to the negotiating table over its unpaid energy bills.

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