Showing posts with label South stream. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South stream. Show all posts

Friday, February 3, 2017

Putin: "Moscow is ready to return to South stream project, but only if "guarantees" are provided."


Putin: "Moscow is ready to return to South stream project, but only if "guarantees" are provided." (novinite).

Russian President Putin said on Thursday his country didn't feel offended about Bulgaria and other countries' decision not to carry through the South Stream gas pipeline project due to their lack of "manliness".

Meeting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Budapest, he said Moscow was ready to return to the project - abandoned in December 2014 - but only if "guarantees" were provided.

What several countries failed to show courage about was defying the European Commission, TASS news agency quotes Putin as saying.

The Russian President chose Hungary for his first state visit for 2017 and who on Thursday arrived to Budapest for the second time in two years, said projects such as South Stream should be completely "depoliticized".

Before departing for the visit, he had suggested the options to join either Turkish Stream or Nord Stream would remain open to Hungary.

The Bulgarian Black Sea port of Varna was the landfall of South Stream, once designed to carry 63 billion cubic meters of gas to Central Europe via Bulgaria and Serbia.

But Sofia froze the construction of the pipeline in the summer of 2014, after a warning from Brussels, and for months refused to issue construction permits for the offshore section that enters Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. Putin then announced the project was considered to be over, pitching an alternative "Turkish Stream" instead.

The European Commission deemed South Stream incompatible with its Third Energy Package of liberalization, which unbundles gas supply from the ownership of the infrastructure, meaning Russia would have to allow other suppliers into the pipes.

Last week, a Russian official revived the issue of a "pipeline to Varna", as a second route of Turkish Stream, could be considered by Moscow if Sofia wanted to go for it.

His words followed months-long negotiations with Turkey over the Turkish Stream pipeline, which substantially reduced the project in scope compared to the initial idea, with Ankara being offered limited options to serve as transit destination.


Wednesday, September 23, 2015

New Russian gas deals are "enough to make even a seasoned energy observer's head spin"


New Russian gas deals are "enough to make even a seasoned energy observer's head spin". (csis).

In the twelve months since the collapse of global oil prices and the imposition of Western economic sanctions against Russia, the number of new Russian gas export project announcements has skyrocketed.

Only last month, Gazprom signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with three European companies to build a second large gas pipeline system under the Baltic Sea called Nord Stream II.

This was preceded by the announcement in December by President Vladimir Putin himself of the cancellation of the ambitious South Stream gas pipeline under the Black Sea to be replaced by an equally grandiose project, soon to be dubbed Turkish Stream.

In Kurdish a donkey is called: 'Kerdogan'

Both Nord Stream II and Turkish Stream are designed to bypass the critical transit route through Ukraine utilized by 40 to 50 percent of Russia’s current gas exports to Europe.

Russia and Gazprom’s position on whether gas transit through Ukraine will continue after the current agreement expires in the not-too-distant future flip-flopped within a matter of weeks recently – first proclaiming that all transit will cease after 2019, then declaring that negotiation of a new deal has been ordered by President Putin.

In the past year, we have also seen the supposed conclusion of not one but two large gas deals with China. Together with numerous previously proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) and export pipeline projects, this picture is enough to make even a seasoned energy observer’s head spin.

To make matters worse, the mainstream press tends to report each one of these announcements, no matter how fanciful, as if they are all realistic projects that will be completed by the notional target dates even as Russia’s financial position continues to deteriorate.

The total cost of these projects is somewhere between $150 and $200 billion, and it is unlikely that Russia (even together with its prospective partners) could muster the necessary capital to complete most of them amidst Russia’s low oil revenue, budget deficits, and falling GDP.

Instead, the raft of announcements, postponements, and cancellations in June and July of 2015 suggest that Russia is groping for a viable gas export strategy. Read the full comprehensive report here.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Gazprom signs key Nord Stream-2 deal with EU companies, avoids need for gas transit through Ukraine.


Gazprom signs key Nord Stream-2 deal with EU companies, avoids need for gas transit through Ukraine. (RBTH).

Russia’s gas giant Gazprom has signed a binding shareholders’ agreement with European energy companies for the construction of the Nord Stream-2 pipeline from Russia to Germany. The landmark deal was inked at the Eastern Economic Forum, held in Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok on Sept. 3-5.

Gazprom will own a controlling stake, while Germany’s E.ON and BASF/Wintershall, Austria’s OMV and Royal Dutch Shell will receive 10 percent each, while France’s Engie will receive 9 percent.

Economic interests take priority

In itself, the signing of the shareholders’ agreement for Nord Stream-2 is already evidence that the EU, as before, has no common position either on relations with Gazprom as a whole or on today’s most pressing issue – that of gas transit through Ukraine.

The largest power companies in the UK, France, Germany and Austria signed the project, whose implementation will minimize the transit of gas through Ukraine, which all these states continue to support politically. However, the agreement is contrary to the position of Brussels; according to Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič, there is no need for any gas pipelines bypassing Ukraine.

“Germany believes that Ukraine should be supported, but the path to democracy and reform is very long, and we are losing time; the Ukrainian gas transportation system must be modernized, but no one is ready to invest,” said Alexander Rahr, research director of the German-Russian Forum, adding that plans for Nord Stream-2 do not violate EU law, including the Third Energy Package.

Southern Europe left high and dry

The shareholders’ agreement is a serious blow to the south-eastern countries of the EU, which were prevented by the United States and the European Commission last year from building the South Stream pipeline, intended to supply Russian gas to Southeast Europe via an undersea pipeline and a distribution hub in Turkey.

Now it is proposed to build a gas pipeline which, with a capacity of 55 billion cubic meters a year, which will bring billions of dollars in transit fees not to Bulgaria and Hungary, but to Germany and the Czech Republic. In addition, virtually all Russian gas will reach Europe through Germany, providing German gas pipeline companies with stable income for decades.

“The participants of South Stream – Bulgaria, Greece and Italy – are the countries that do not have enough weight to make decisions contrary to the general political line, but Germany will be able to,” said Fyodor Lukyanov, head of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy, an independent Moscow-based think tank. Hmmm.......Guesss the Turkish stream will remain a 'Turkish dream'? Read the full story here.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Minority shareholding: The shares which gives potentially power to Gazprom and Rosneft over the EU energy market.


Minority shareholding: The shares which gives potentially power to Gazprom and Rosneft over the EU energy market.(delfi). A Must read! Read the full story here.


Thursday, June 11, 2015

Video - Canada's PM Harper: "Putin's invasion of Ukraine ... must not be allowed to stand"



Ukraine Today: Ukraine's debt to private creditors should be restructured...in plain words: "We are broke and won't pay our debts"....expect fireworks.

Considering it's an election year for Harper and the large number of Ukrainian Canadians, it's 'normal' to hear this kind of talk.

Remains the fact that Ukraine is broke, has a mountain of debts from not paying their bills and no gas reserves for coming Winter.This situation is bound to escalate.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Putin has two options: Option slow retreat and the option of an insane escalation.


Putin has two options: Option slow retreat and the option of an insane escalation.(Espreso) [Google translate].

- Hello, Andrei. I read your tweet, where he wrote that Putin now has a choice: "To lose power as banal thief or lose power as the leader of the embattled Russian world." Once you have written that the Federation Council may soon come. Could you explain what you mean

- The fact that Moscow was made two very curious statement. 

Chairman of the Federation Council, Mrs. Matvienko, Russian senators asked not to go too far from Moscow, as in the near future may be called an extraordinary meeting of the Federation Council. This could explain some bills in the Duma, they say they need to take place before the summer holidays by the Federation Council. But just half an hour after it was made, Mr. Sands, who somehow suddenly decided to remind the city and the world that actually Putin can once again turn to the Federation Council with a request to give him authority to use the Armed Forces beyond our borders. This is all very worrying signals. They can, of course, be considered as part of the continuous military blackmail, which deals with Putin. But right now I would rate the likelihood of military escalation as a higher than even a few weeks ago.

Quite close to my assessment of the situation given, for example, is very far away from me in the next man Prohanov Sabbath Solovyov. However, he has formulated it somewhat differently according to their political outlook. He said: "We have a choice of either World War III or the second restructuring." The second restructuring in its language - Putin's retreat, his political defeat and displacement. Prohanov continued: "Perestroika, we still lose, and World War III can be won. So let's go to the Third World War. "

I believe that something similar can move and head of Putin himself. Therefore, the next few days, a week - they are very important. And it's strange attack at Marinka two days ago also seems to me not accidental, but an attempt to "feel out" the situation including within his own entourage. . I think that everything will depend on how Putin single-handedly controls the situation.

We are going through very troubled days. An intermediate situation can not continue indefinitely. Choice - escalation or slow retreat - the Kremlin in general, or Putin, if he is single-handedly controls the entire system of government should take in the near future.

- Recently, there are reports from Russian sources, with reference to the same Valentina Matvienko, that the Federation Council can vote for the accession of Transnistria. And, given that Ukraine has blocked Transnistria, this news sounds very anxious. Do you think Russia will dare even to the annexation of Transnistria?

- You know, taking off his head, the hair do not cry. Transnistria, it is a tactic. The question is different: whether the regime will be decided on a real war with Ukraine, Moldova and, indeed, with the West? Where he decides: the Donbas, Moldova, or maybe it is now actively offering Russian media to throw special squad to Odessa, grab Saakashvili, bring him in a cage to Moscow and Putin, his one seat hangs - it is technical details.

Very anxious, of course, what is being discussed and aggravation of the situation around Transnistria. It simply underscores that the scenario of military escalation, in spite of all his madness, is regarded very seriously. And where they will arrange a new provocation: in Marinka, Tiraspol or in Odessa - this is not essential. Now Putin will have to decide for themselves the question or slow, very boring, viscous and hopeless retreat, or challenge the West and the fate and the insane escalation, in which, as said Mr. Prokhanov, "What if we have a chance and win ? '

- What do you think, what will be the reaction of the West, because, in principle, have already begun and military provocations is absolutely clear that the Minsk Agreement thwarted?

- Today I watched meeting of the Security Council. At that time Samantha Power "drove a muzzle on the table" Churkin accident. But the Security Council in fact does not solve anything. Performances of the British and American representatives were, however, rigid and clearly indicate what they see as the culprit running escalation.

I have no doubt that the reaction of the West to be very sharp. I think that the basis for this conclusion is all that is said and what makes the West over the past two to three weeks with respect to Putin and the Kremlin's power. The West warned Moscow about the consequences of military escalation in very uncertain terms.

The point is not to be sympathetic to the Western Ukraine or the absence of such sympathies. The West is now most acute problem solve their own security. Because about Ukraine because he could tell, and he said, Obama and Rasmussen on the first day of the conflict a year ago: "Ukraine is not a member of NATO, so our military intervention is absolutely impossible." And there will be a military intervention. Yes this is not necessary. The West has enough economic and political means to inflict a humiliating defeat Putin.

They certainly it will cause, because if they would allow Putin to triumph in Moldova, Ukraine or anywhere else, then the next day his "little green men" will appear in the Baltic states on the territory of a NATO member country. 

There will not be able to avoid a war with Russia. If Western politicians betray Estonia - a member of NATO, do not fulfill their obligations under para. 5 of the NATO Charter, then it will be the infamous end of NATO, the end of the West as a subject of world politics, leaving the United States from the world stage as a guarantor of the security of the West.

And if they come to the aid of Estonia - a war with nuclear power, led by a person in a different reality, and brandishing nuclear weapons. It's unthinkable choice. Therefore, as I see the situation, the West made a firm decision not to bring the situation to such a choice, and stop Putin here and now in Ukraine, with the maximum use of a set of economic and political means, but «without boots on the ground».

Pick up the rhetoric of recent days. All influential Western leaders speak with one voice. Obviously, they were discussing the issue and Putin came to a common denominator. Thus, the Canadian Prime Minister said: "As long as Putin in the Kremlin - is no place for Russia in the Group of Eight will not." However, shrederovsky "fosterling" Steinmeier - Germany's foreign minister, to try something squeak that "in fact, we need Russia to solve some issues in Iran and Syria." But then he straightened Merkel sharply.

For the West, came a kind of "moment of truth". This situation is quite unusual for Putin. His game with the nuclear blackmail in political poker burst. For a year these Trenin, Lukyanov, Karaganov on any "informal talks" with the American political scientists sincerely whispered: "Well, understand, after all, Ukraine more important for us than for you. Therefore, we will raise rates until the use of nuclear weapons. You still flinch and turn away. " West did not flinch, did not give up and will stand up to Putin is very tough. Therefore, a new and very unpleasant situation for him. Hmmm....If i were Putin the 05 July at 03,00 AM would seem a good time to start. Read the full story here.

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Video - Rostov Russia - Echelon military equipment & Howitzers transport in direction of Ukraine. June 6, 2015





Obama 'Admin' Threat of US Missile Deployment in Europe Should Be Taken Seriously.


Obama 'Admin' Threat of US Missile Deployment in Europe Should Be Taken Seriously. (SP).

The possibility of US missile deployment in Europe to counter alleged Russian violations of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) arms control treaty should not be underestimated, former Pentagon official and vice president of the Lexington Institute think tank Dan Goure told Sputnik on Friday.

This is not a threat the [US President Barack] Obama administration would make lightly,” Goure said. Goure noted the discussion of a possible US counterforce response “is remarkable considering the Obama Administration's efforts to develop a positive relationship with Moscow.”

On Thursday, the Associated Press reported the Obama administration is considering deploying missile capable of striking targets inside Russia, as a counter force measure to alleged Russian violations of the INF Treaty.

The United States is weighing the option of improving “the ability of US nuclear weapons to destroy military targets on Russian territory,” according to the report.

Goure, who served as an analyst and advisor in the Pentagon, noted that US counterforce options “are likely to be the nearest-term and the most effective conventional counter to the growing Russian threat.”

In the past six months, US officials, including Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, have presented three possible US responses to alleged INF violations: counterforce, active defensive or deterrent measures and fully withdrawing from the INF Treaty. Goure commented that the INF Treaty “is dying.”

He added, “We are rapidly returning to the Cold War days of escalation ladders, nuclear umbrellas and limited options.” Washington has accused Russia of testing a ground-based cruise missile in violation of the bilateral arms control treaty. Russia has repeatedly denied violating the INF Treaty, and has accused the United States of deploying defense systems in Romania and Poland with capabilities that violate the Treaty. Hmmmm....I think Putin is thinking 'just make my day'. He'll use the US Deployment to install way more nukes.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Video - Russian Army moving towards the Ukrainian border.



Friday, May 29, 2015

Gazprom to demand more than $8bn from Ukraine in ‘take-or-pay’ contract penalties, total gas debt almost $29.5 billion.


Gazprom to demand more than $8bn from Ukraine in ‘take-or-pay’ contract penalties, total gas debt almost $29.5 billion.(RT).

Russia’s Gazprom wants Ukraine’s Naftogaz to pay penalties for taking less than the agreed upon amount of gas in 2014, considering the so-called “take-or-pay” contract signed by the companies.
Gazprom would require Naftogaz of Ukraine to pay $8.197 billion in “take-or-pay” contract penalties, said company head Aleksey Miller at the European Business Congress on Thursday.
Russian natural gas producer also put Ukraine's total gas debt at almost $29.5 billion.
At the end of 2014 Russia, Ukraine and the EU agreed to put a freeze on the “take-or-pay” principle for five months which means that in the period spanning 1 November 2014 to 31 March 2015, Russia would not impose fines on Ukraine.

However, Gazprom has every right under the contract to fine Naftogaz for failing to provide payments from January 1 to October 31, 2014; there was no such freeze for the period of time spanning January 1 to October 31, 2014.

Naftogaz has reacted by saying it has never paid penalties arising from the “take-or-pay” rule and does not intend to do it in the future. The Ukrainian company claims the “take or pay” condition is not part of the contract.


At the same time the company welcomes the intention of Gazprom to submit their claims to an arbitration court. “Arbitration is the most civilized way to resolve commercial disputes when the parties cannot find a consensus through negotiations,” said the head of Naftogaz Andrei Kobolev, commenting on the statement of his Russian counterpart Aleksey Miller.

 The corresponding claim will be addressed to Naftogaz of Ukraine today, the same claim will be directed to the Stockholm arbitration,” said Miller, quoted by RIA.

Miller estimated the total debt of Naftogaz to Gazprom at more than $29 billion. He said $200 million are owed to Gazprom for gas deliveries to the Donetsk and the Lugansk regions in Eastern Ukraine.

Earlier Gazprom filed an action to the Stockholm arbitration against Naftogaz, demanding $18.5 billion for the gas volumes in 2012-2013 that weren’t delivered by Gazprom but had to be paid for by Ukraine under the “take-or-pay” agreement. Hmmm.....Come Winter Ukraine will have No Gas reserves and no money.....get ready for war. 

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Massive Air Force Drill Under Way In Russia

Left Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin

Massive Air Force Drill Under Way In Russia.(rferl).

The Russian Defense Ministry says that its air forces have begun a massive exercise involving hundreds of aircraft and thousands of service personnel.

In a May 25 statement, the ministry described the four-day drill as a "massive surprise inspection," to check combat readiness.

"The inspection involves about 12,000 military service personnel, as well as up to 250 planes and helicopters and 689 various weapons and pieces of military hardware," the statement said.

The manoeuvers began on the same day as NATO and some of its partners started an Arctic training exercise.

Russia's involvement in Ukraine and incursions into Western airspace have led to rising tensions with the West.

A ministry spokesperson said that, during the inspection, "Long-range aviation aircraft will carry out cruise missile strikes against a mock enemy's ground targets at the Pemboi test and training area (in the Komi Republic)."

Asked about Russia's assertiveness in a television interview, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin joked that "tanks don't need visas." Read the full story here.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Russia To Adopt 'Tough' Position If Ukraine Defaults on end of the year debts.


Russia To Adopt 'Tough' Position If Ukraine Defaults on end of the year debts. (rferl).

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says Russia would adopt what he calls a tough position if Ukraine decides not to repay debts owed by its previous government.

Speaking to Russian TV in an interview broadcast May 23, Medvedev says if Ukraine were to default on its obligations, Russia would "defend its national interests."

Earlier this week, Ukraine's parliament approved a law that would give the government the right to miss payments to its international creditors as it renegotiates payment terms.

Russia holds a $3 billion Ukrainian eurobond whose full repayment is due by the end of the year.

Medvedev also says the Russian government was right to allow its currency, the ruble, to float and that it was "optimal" to achieve a balance in the foreign-currency market.

The ruble has lost about a third of its value with respect to the U.S. dollar in the past year. Hmmmm.....By Winter Ukraine has no gas reserves and no money......welcome to WWIII

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Over 4,500 Russian Military Servicemen Begin Month long Drills in Western Siberia.


Over 4,500 Russian Military Servicemen Begin Month long Drills in Western Siberia. (SP).

More than 4,500 Russian military personnel have begun exercises in three regions of the Urals, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

"The exercises will continue for a month… Artillery units will hold more than 30 controlled exercises with rocket strikes and firing artillery," the ministry said in a press release.

The exercises will be held in the Kemerovo, Chelyabinsk, and Orenburg regions in western Siberia, half of them to be conducted at night, the ministry said. The drills will include Grad and Uragan rocket complexes.

The large-scale Center 2015 exercises are also expected to be held from summer through fall 2015 in several Russian regions as well as some areas abroad, with the participation of tens of thousands of military personnel, the Russian Defense Ministry said last December.

In total, Russia has planned at least 4,000 drills for 2015, according to the deference ministry. Hmmm......Preparing for coming Winter?


Related:    Russian Jets Penetrate NATO Ships' Air Defenses in Black Sea.

Friday, February 27, 2015

Gazprom Confirms Ukraine Pays $15 Million, Enough For One Day Gas.


Gazprom Confirms Ukraine Pays $15 Million, Enough For One Day Gas. (Rferl).

The Russian state-controlled energy company Gazprom says it has received a $15-million advance payment for gas from Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz, sufficient funds to provide Ukraine with one more day of gas supplies.

Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov confirmed on February 17 that "today at 9:20 a.m. Gazprom received a $15-million payment from Naftogaz Ukrainy. At the current level of shipments, this prepayment is enough for only about one day."

Kupriyanov said the amount of gas Ukraine has now paid for should be sufficient to last until March 2 when the energy ministers of Russia and Ukraine are due to meet in Brussels with officials from the European Union in an attempt to reach a new gas agreement.

Gazprom had threatened to cut off supplies to Ukraine at the end of this month claiming Ukraine had used all the gas it paid for in advance.

Under a deal brokered in October by the EU, Ukraine would continue to receive Russian gas but must pay in advance.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Putin: Gas supplies to Europe could suffer in 3-4 days if Kiev doesn't pay for future deliveries.


Putin: Gas supplies to Europe could suffer in 3-4 days if Kiev doesn't pay for future deliveries.(RT).

Russia will cut off gas supplies to Ukraine if Kiev fails to pay in “three or four days,” President Vladimir Putin said, adding that this "will create a problem" for gas transit to Europe.


Russia will completely cut Ukraine off gas supplies in two days if Kiev fails to pay for deliveries, which will create transit risks for Europe, Gazprom has said.

Ukraine has not paid for March deliveries and is extracting all it can from the current paid supply, seriously risking an early termination of the advance settlement and a supply cutoff, Gazprom's CEO Alexey Miller told journalists. The prepaid gas volumes now stand at 219 million cubic meters.

"It takes about two days to get payment from Naftogaz deposited to a Gazprom account. That's why a delivery to Ukraine of 114 million cubic meters will lead to a complete termination of Russian gas supplies as early as in two days, which creates serious risks for the transit to Europe,” Miller said.

Earlier this month, Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak estimated Ukraine's debt to Russian energy giant Gazprom at $2.3 billion.

In the end of 2014, Kiev's massive gas debt that stood above $5 billion, forced Moscow to suspend gas deliveries to Ukraine for nearly six months. On December 9, Russia resumed its supplies under the so-called winter package deal, which expires on April 1, 2015.

Naftogaz said it would not make advance payments for Russian gas without knowing Gazprom will implement its side of the contract, and the EU - brokered 'winter plan.'

Europe currently is the main source of gas supplied to Ukraine, that’s why the flawless implementation of our liabilities to transport gas to the EU is our major strategy,” the head of Naftogaz, Andrey Kobolev said.

On Monday, Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz accused Gazprom of failing to deliver gas that Kiev had paid for in advance. Naftogaz says Russia has broken an agreement to deliver 114 million of cubic meters of natural gas to Ukraine by delivering only 47 million cubic meters.

During a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on February 20, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev expressed concern about an increase in daily applications by Ukraine for the supply of gas, TASS reports.

He noted that "Ukraine's consumers have requested a larger supply; the volume has increased by 2.5 times. This means that the prepaid volumes left are enough for no more than two to three days.

Last week, Medvedev ordered the energy minister and the head of Gazprom to prepare proposals on fuel deliveries to the self-proclaimed Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (DPR and LPR) after Kiev had cut off the delivery pipeline into the southeastern regions. Hmmm......The problem of Ukraine their 'Gas Reserves' is way bigger then what the story mentions.

Related:  Ukraine gas-supply agreement end in two months, Gas storage at all time low.

With less than two months before Ukraine’s Russian gas-supply agreement ends, analysts are warning of critically low storage that would threaten all of Europe.

There’s been little progress on a new deal before the March 31 expiry, with Russia saying it will revert to a standard contract based on disputed prices that won’t be reviewed by international arbitrators until 2016. If the supply stops, then Ukraine’s inventories may shrink to the smallest in a decade by Oct. 1, says Eclipse Energy Group, a consultant in Norway.

That raises the risk that Ukraine will need to use Russian gas destined for the European Union next winter, according to Energy Aspects Ltd., a London-based consultant. The 28-nation EU is seeking to help broker a new deal because Russia supplies a third of its gas, with 40 percent flowing through pipelines across Ukraine. Flows to Europe via Ukraine were disrupted during pricing disputes in 2006 and 2009.

If they cannot re-inject enough gas, the risks for Europe will be greater next winter than this winter,” May Mannes, head of gas and liquefied natural gas analysis at Stavanger, Norway-based Eclipse, said by phone Jan. 22. “Ukraine’s need for storage re-injection has been overlooked by many.

Ukraine will have 10 billion cubic meters in storage in October if it only gets fuel from the EU and its own production, said Mannes, who has tracked the industry for two decades. That compares with 16.6 billion last October and 23.1 billion on average in the past 10 years. Read the full story here.

Monday, February 16, 2015

EU has expanded its anti-Russian sanctions list to 19 more people and nine new companies.


EU has expanded its anti-Russian sanctions list to 19 more people and nine new companies.(RT).

The European Union has expanded its anti-Russian sanctions list to 19 more people and nine new companies. The EU blacklist now includes 151 citizens of Russia and Ukraine’s self-proclaimed eastern republics and 37 Russian companies.

The newly sanctioned individuals include three top military officials: Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s First Defense Minister, Army General Arkady Bakhin, and the head of the main Operation Directorate of General Staff, Lieutenant General Andrey Kartapolov.

Two members of the Russian lower house of parliament, the State Duma, singer Iosif Kobzon and Valery Rashkin, who heads the Russian Communist Party branch in Moscow, are also on the list. The remaining 14 people are officials of the self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine.



Sunday, February 15, 2015

Ukraine - Poroshenko declares cease-fire in place (TRANSCRIPT)


Ukraine - Poroshenko declares cease-fire in place (TRANSCRIPT). (KievPost).

Editor's Note: The following is a statement from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

  Read the statement here and below

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has declared ceasefire along the entire line of hostilities in Donetsk and Luhansk region from February 15, 00:00.

Respective statement was made by the President on the premises of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Saturday, February 14, at 23:55.

"Ukraine has always treated its international commitments with great responsibility. We are willing to prove that once again. In a few minutes, glorious Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Border Troops, the units of the Ministry of the Interior and the Security Service of Ukraine will execute my order as Supreme Commander-in-Chief to cease fire along the entire line of clash with the enemy in Donetsk and Luhansk regions as stipulated by the agreements achieved in Minsk in the Normandy format with participation of the Presidents of Ukraine, France, Russia and the Chancellor of Germany," the President noted.

The Head of State emphasizes that Ukraine counts on a responsible attitude of the opposite party to the fulfillment of undertaken obligations, as negotiations have reached the highest level.

The Ukrainian Crisis Media Center also translated his live broadcast below:

Ukraine has always complied with its international obligations. We are ready to demonstrate our determination and uphold this principle again. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is going to order the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard of Ukraine and the Border Guard to cease their fire along the entire frontline in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the next minutes. The ceasefire takes place according to the agreements reached in Minsk between the leaders of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia.

Pacta sunt servanda is a principle that was not invented by us, but we strictly abide to it.

Ukraine expects the opposing side will act with much greater responsibility than before, considering the fact that negotiations have been conducted at the highest political level.

We have accounted for the announcement of one of militant leaders regarding his intentions to cease fire. We hope that the price of his words will be worth the paper on which he signed the order.

We are experiencing a whole array of sentiments in these minutes: optimism and pessimism, hope and skepticism, faith and concern. The situation around Debaltseve causes great concerns. For us it is a military springboard, while claims about encirclement is either a sick hallucination or wishful thinking. We can just recall an old proverb that honey is sweet, but the bee stings.

The Russian side demonstrated an excessive interest in the situation around Debaltseve on the eyes of the whole world during the Minsk negotiations. We were ready to take the Russian representatives on the battlefield. Yet they did not express any desire to come there and see that there is no encirclement around the city. Debaltseve, or rather what has remained from it after intensive shelling by the terrorists, is under control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Therefore I think the fact of using the tense situation on the outskirts of Debaltseve by militants-terrorists-mercenaries poses a great threat, which can violate the ceasefire regime. I am warning all participants of the Minsk negotiations, including the Russian Federation, which identifies itself as the guarantor of the reached agreements. In my opinion, it is too much to say that force is necessary to guarantee action from those you fully control; a mere political will is enough.

In the course of the last two days, I have divided my virtually round-the-clock working time on two major parts: meetings with the heads of the Ukrainian military and law-enforcement in order to ensure ceasefire, and diplomatic consultations regarding the same issue. I had a telephone conversation with President Barack Obama just a couple of hours ago after group telephone call with Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Barak Obama. The whole world held its breath, arduously anticipating tomorrow's sunset.

I will not tell what are we going to do in case if the militants decide to violate ceasefire. I will only tell that if we get attacked, we shall retaliate, and let God help us.

This is probably the last chance to restore a hard and long-term pathway toward political settlement of the conflict in Donbas.

I will put all my efforts to prevent any careless actions or unjustified fire that may undermine this opportunity.

Ukraine is interested in peace more than anyone else. For those who like to speculate about protecting the “Russian-speakers", Russian-speaking Ukrainians and Ukrainian-speakers too are only a cannon fodder in the struggle for the restoration of empire.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Russian - Turkish Stream to be considered by European Commission


Russian - Turkish Stream to be considered by European Commission. (Taz).

The Turkish Stream project will be considered by the European Commission, the Vice President of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic, who is in charge of Energy Union, told reporters Feb.12, commenting on the possibilities of the project.

The Turkish Stream has been announced recently, and we will consider how much gas they want to transport to Europe,” he said. “Southern Gas Corridor is already much more developed and is the main source of diversification of gas supplies to Europe.”

He said that the EU should examine all long-term contracts with Gazprom and other companies, which may change, so all the details should be discussed.

Russia announced the closure of the South Stream gas pipeline project in early December 2014. This pipeline was to run through the Black Sea and deliver fuel to Balkan states, as well as Hungary, Austria and Italy through Bulgaria.

The Russian side said it abandoned the project due to the non-constructive position of the European Union as well. Instead of the South Stream, it was decided to construct a pipe to Turkey and create a gas hub on its border with Greece for the consumers in Southern Europe.

Russian Gazprom and Turkish Botas companies have already defined the route of the new gas pipeline. The gas pipeline will pass 660 kilometers in the old corridor of South Stream and 250 kilometers in the new corridor in the direction of the European part of Turkey.

Plans are to sign an intergovernmental agreement on the gas pipeline in Q2 of 2015 and to supply the first gas in December 2016.

The Southern Gas Corridor will allow Europe to diversify its hydrocarbon supply sources and strengthen energy security and also will allow Azerbaijan to obtain a new market in Europe. Hmmm.....Who in his right mind would trust two dictators like Putin and Erdogan to provide your Natural gas?

Related: Southern Gas Corridor to help Europe achieve its strategic objective


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