Russia Must Speed Up European Gas Pipeline Projects - Novak
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday that Russia should speed up work on agreeing gas export pipeline projects in Europe due to tensions with Ukraine over transit gas. "In my opinion, we should speed up (the realisation of projects) to mitigate the risks we're having today," the TASS news agency cited Novak as saying. Kiev and Moscow were plunged into a new gas dispute last week after Russia's Gazprom unexpectedly decided not to restart supplies, prompting Ukraine to cut usage despite freezing weather . Reporting by Maxim Rodionov
New Gas Dispute Between Ukraine and Russia Begins
Russia's Gazprom refuses to restart supplies to Ukraine; Ukraine's Naftogaz demands compensation. Kiev and Moscow plunged into a new gas dispute on Thursday after Ukraine's Naftogaz demanded compensation for Gazprom's unexpected decision not to restart gas supplies. The row threatens to open a new front in a long-running legal battle between the companies - a by-product of broader political tension following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. It follows Wednesday's…
Turkey Takes Russia to Arbitration on Gas Dispute
Turkish state gas importer Botas has appealed to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to resolve a row over the price of gas from Russia after the two countries failed to sign a deal, the company said on Tuesday. Turkey said in February it had obtained a 10.25 percent price discount on the 28-30 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas it buys from Russia each year but the two sides have been at loggerheads over the deal for months. Botas, which is also Turkey's state pipeline operator, said in a statement it notified…
Ukraine Must Buy Coal From Russia to Get Through Winter
Ukraine will be forced to buy coal from Russia to get through the winter, a serious setback to the country's efforts to lessen energy dependence on its powerful neighbour, Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuri Prodan said on Wednesday. Conflict between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian forces in Ukraine's industrial east has disrupted coal supplies to thermal power plants (TPP), which provide around 40 percent of the country's electricity, and has left reserves critically low ahead of the cold winter months. "We have no other option but to turn to the Russian producers and try to buy coal there…
Israel Backs Cyprus Gas Exploration in East Med
Israel said on Wednesday it supported attempts by neighbouring Cyprus to carry out natural gas exploration offshore, in spite of objections from Turkey challenging the endeavour. Cyprus, a member of the European Union, has discovered sizeable gas deposits south of the island towards Israel, which has made massive hydrocarbon finds in the past decade. Turkey does not recognise Cyprus, which is ethnically split between its Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations. Nicosia has accused Ankara of dispatching a research vessel to collect seismic data, a precursor for possible explorations. "We respect the integrity of Cyprus.
Hope and Obstacles as Russia and Ukraine Seek Gas Deal
A tentative agreement between the Ukrainian and Russian presidents has raised hopes of ending a dispute in which Moscow has halted natural gas supplies to Kiev, but several obstacles still have be overcome. Movement on the gas row was the only sign of progress at talks between Vladimir Putin and Petro Poroshenko on Friday which failed to resolve differences over fighting in eastern Ukraine and a deep crisis in relations. The two sides, whose energy ministers will meet in Brussels on Tuesday, still differ over how to calculate Kiev's huge gas debt and the schedule for payments and there are doubts about Ukraine's ability to pay.
Merkel: Putin Talks to Include Gas, Ceasefire
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that planned talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at this week's EU-Asia summit in Milan would include a range of issues related to Ukraine from the gas dispute to the ceasefire agreement. "There are plans for such talks with the Russian president. The whole range of issues related to Ukraine - such as gas but also the Minsk agreement - will be on the agenda," Merkel told a news conference, adding that she expected a frank exchange. The Kremlin said earlier on…
Russia, Ukraine, EU to Discuss Gas, Trade Problems
The presidents of Russia, Ukraine and the European Commission have agreed to hold talks on disputes over gas and an EU-Ukraine free trade agreement, in parallel with efforts to stabilise the security situation in Ukraine, the EU said on Thursday. The talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso are intended to be held in person, a European Commission source said, but it is not yet clear where or when. Raising discussions of the disputes to the level of presidents appeared to offer hope of a possible easing of tensions over Ukraine…
Ukraine's Gas Dispute Could Mean Cold Winter for Central, East Europe
Central and southeastern Europe could face higher gas prices and potential shortages this winter, as a prolonged price row between Russia and Ukraine heightens regional supply fears. The former Soviet countries, many of which receive most or all of their gas from Russia via Ukraine, have been scrambling to fill storage tanks and arrange alternate supply sources to prepare for the winter heating season. In June, Russian natural gas exporter Gazprom cut off gas deliveries for use by Ukraine in a dispute over unpaid bills, raising concerns of a disruption of supplies to the rest of Europe.
Gazprom Pushes Back Gas Prepayment Deadline for Ukraine
Russian gas producer Gazprom said on Wednesday it was pushing back a deadline for Ukraine to move to prepaying for gas by one day to June 10 because of a public holiday in Kiev. Gazprom and Naftogaz were holding talks on Wednesday in Berlin trying to settle gas dispute that could hurt onward supplies to the European Union. (Reporting by Katya Golubkova, editing by Elizabeth Piper)
Russia's Gazprom & Ukraine's Naftogaz in Debt Talks
Russian gas company Gazprom and Ukraine's state-owned Naftogaz will continue talks in Berlin on Wednesday to try to settle a gas dispute, Russian news agencies quoted Ukraine's energy minister as saying. "Talks continue today in a two-way format as the Russian side refused to hold them in a three-way format," Yuri Prodan was quoted as saying, adding the talks were expected to last until June 9 - the deadline for Ukraine to pay its gas debts. Russian state-owned exporter Gazprom gave Kiev some respite on Monday by allowing it six more days to pay its debts…
Russia, Ukraine Hope for Gas Deal this Week
Ukraine has started to pay off gas debts; Gazprom delayed switching Kiev to prepayment. Russia and Ukraine signalled on Tuesday they hope to resolve a dispute by the end of this week over billions of dollars in unpaid gas bills that threatens supplies to Europe and is stoking their political conflict. Russian state-owned exporter Gazprom gave Kiev some respite on Monday by allowing it six more days to pay its debts, averting the risk of an immediate cut in supplies under an advance payment system that had been due to come into force.
Prices Drop on Low Summer Demand, Ukraine Gas Compromise
European physical coal prices in July dropped on Monday as an outlook for mild weather entering the warm summer months pulled down the demand side while fears over a Russian gas cut to Ukraine eased and improved Europe's energy supply outlook. Cargoes for July delivery to Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp (ARA) were trading at $73.50 a tonne, down $1.9 since Friday, according to the GLOBALcoal trading platform, and the contract is now over 40 percent below its last peak in the first quarter of 2011. Traders said the…
Russia Grants Gas Respite, Seeks U.N. Ukraine Vote
Moscow complains situation worse since Ukraine election; demand for U.N. resolution on end to violence. Russia accused Ukrainian authorities on Monday of escalating violence against civilians in the rebel-held east of the country, even as it offered Kiev a brief respite in a dispute over billions of dollars' worth of unpaid gas bills. In the latest fighting, Ukrainian border guards said a pro-Russian militia had attacked one of their posts with automatic weapons and grenade launchers in the early hours, triggering a battle that was still raging many hours later.
EU Bosses Avoid Russia-EU Gas Talks
European Commission officials stayed away from talks bringing together the Russian and EU gas industry on Wednesday and no date has been set for a new round of three-way political dialogue aimed at solving energy aspects of the Ukraine crisis. Russian gas exporter Gazprom on Tuesday demanded pre-payment from Ukraine for June gas deliveries by June 2 or said it would cut off its supplies because of an outstanding bill for some $3.5 billion. A first round of talks on energy security on May 2, bringing together European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger and Ukraine's and Russia's energy ministers…
EU: Progress in Russia-Ukraine Gas Dispute
Europe's Energy Commissioner said on Monday progress had been made in the gas price dispute between Russia and Ukraine after he held talks with Russia's energy minister and a senior representative of Gazprom. "We have in the last few days made progress on a number of issues but we still have no agreement," said Guenther Oettinger, also reiterating that the next round of talks between Russia, Ukraine and the EU would take place on May 26. He said that prices for the period from November to March were cleared up but that they were still working on prices for April, May and June.
Progress Made in Russia-Ukraine Gas Dispute
Europe's Energy Commissioner said on Monday progress had been made in the gas price dispute between Russia and Ukraine after talks with Russia's energy minister and Gazprom and said a fresh round of negotiations was scheduled for May 26. Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged EU leaders to do more to help Ukraine through its economic crisis and resolve the standoff over gas. He has threatened to cut exports if Kiev fails to pay in advance for June deliveries. "We have in the last few days made progress on a number of issues but we still have no agreement…
Hints Of Possible Deal On Ukraine Gas Emerge At G20
emerged at a meeting of G20 finance chiefs this week that a deal in which Moscow eases its stance might be in the works. sidelines. for gas and said it awaits $2.2 billion in unpaid bills. Ukraine if payments don't start coming, but between the now-standard lines he signalled some room for maneuver. "We do not want to escalate tensions with Ukraine. journalists when asked about the gas dispute. "But it requires a decision of the Ukrainian authorities, support of the European Union colleagues. down and discuss this issue. States were bearing fruit. U.S. international efforts to ensure a free flow of energy and trade. territory.
"Gas War" looms as Pro-Russian militants raise flags in East Ukraine
Pro-Russian militants raised their flags over official buildings in two eastern Ukrainian cities on Saturday, deepening a stand-off with Moscow which, Kiev warned, was dragging Europe closer to a "gas war" that could disrupt supplies across the continent. At least 20 men armed with pistols and rifles took over the police station and a security services headquarters in Slaviansk, about 150 km (90 miles) from the border with Russia. Officials said the men had seized hundreds of pistols from arsenals in the buildings. The militants replaced the Ukrainian flag on one of the buildings with the red, white and blue Russian flag.
