'Ukraine may provoke another gas crisis with EU.' Russia’s Permanent Representative to the EU. (
Tass).
Ukraine
may provoke another crisis in gas relations between Moscow and the
European Union if it steals Russian gas meant for transit to Europe in
the wintertime, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the European Union
Vladimir Chizhov said on Monday.
"To live through a winter normally, there are calculations of how
much gas is to be pumped to storage facilities in the summertime," he
said. "
I’d refrain from citing exact figures but I would say that
Ukraine’s storage facilities are now holding much less gas than is
minimally needed. Hence, they will not be able to use this gas from
underground storage facilities, like they did it last winter - as I have
already said they have not been buying Russian gas since November
2015."
Last winter, luckily for Ukraine, was warm enough, he noted. "
I would
not make guesses about the coming winter but even if it is mild the
problem may surface all the same," Chizhov said.
"
The entire experience
of gas relations with Kiev suggests that the path of least resistance
for them is to pump gas from the transit pipe running to Europe. In such
event, we can expect another crisis."
"
So, the European Commission is probably addressing this issue. Thus,
[Vice-President of the European Union Commission in charge of the
Energy Union Maros] Sefcovic has visited Kiev. So, let us wait and see
what will come of it," the Russian diplomat said.
In the meantime, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Kiev will need about two more billion cubic meters of gas to live through the winter.
Hmmm.....Sounds like the EU[nuchs] will again pay Ukraine's unpaid bills. Read the full story
here.
