Free Bangbros Episode

Russia and Ukraine stomatal the "gas war" with an agreement on prices



RAFAEL M. MOSCOW Mañueco
Sunday, 18/01/2009
"Unfortunately, I emphasize this, our efforts have failed," was the first sentence of the Russian president, Dmitri Medvedev, in a press conference after the International Conference held in Moscow to close the energy conflict. It was late afternoon in Moscow. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Yulia Tymoshenko, "continue talks," Medvedev announced.
And while the continued. A good pace so that after midnight, it was Putin himself who, in a joint press conference with Tymoshenko, announced: "There has been an agreement for the gas trade between Russia and Ukraine is fully in accordance with the European formula for setting prices. " What the Russian Prime Minister meant was that in 2009, Ukraine, through which passes 80 percent of Russian gas to Europe receives will have a 20 percent discount for the purchase of Russian natural gas, holding the rate transit preferential effect in 2008.
Put simply, from January 2010 Ukraine will pay the same prices to the market in Western Europe. This was a Russian demand that the Ukrainian authorities refused to enter citing the weakened economy. The positions were far apart, but the inflexibility Moscow became clear in the words of President Medvedev: "There are countries with worse economic situation in Ukraine and pay the gas at European prices." Technicalities
and special rates aside, the agreement between Putin and Timoshenko means that Tuesday morning was gradually restored gas supplies to the European Union. This was endorsed by the head of the Ukrainian government, "After the signing of the documents, will take place tomorrow, all supplies will resume." The "gas war" has ended. Apparently.
The European Commission warned on Friday that Russia and Ukraine have the "last opportunity to demonstrate its credibility as an energy partner. " The Russian government did not like that Brussels equal responsibility for the mess Moscow and Kiev. In the Kremlin, during this Conference of gas, the chief spokesman for the Russian Government, Dmitry Peskov, said that "the EU is not helping to find a solution ... It is unfair to put Russia and Ukraine at the same level. " Satisfaction

Energy spokesman of the European Commission, Ferran Tarradellas, present in Moscow last night was satisfied with the agreement reached "in a conflict to be resolved by Russia and Ukraine", told this newspaper, considering "very positive, "Putin and Tymoshenko addressed the negotiations personally" or even continue after the dinner. "
Moscow had convened the conclave format yesterday with heads of state summit of countries that transport gas and consume, but on the European side "only" was attended by Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, and the Czech industry ministers, Martin Riman, and Slovak Economy, Lubomir Jahnatek.