Europe Being Dragged Into Russia-Ukraine Natural Gas Dispute
Despite claims this week that Ukraine would permit natural gas intended for the EU from Russia to be delivered, there are reports from Poland and Hungary that deliveries from the pipeline have begun to fall. Poland is reporting a 6% decrease in deliveries and Hungary a 25% decrease.
Russia claims that Ukraine is illegally siphoning off gas intended for these countries, while Ukraine asserts that it is Russia that has decreased the output. Leaders of both nations are currently trying to make their case to EU leaders.
Russian natural gas monopoly, Gazprom says that Ukraine can no longer be trusted and that it will have to find an alternative route to get gas to Europe. Whether this is practicable remains to be seen. Fortunately, the EU nations have substantial natural gas reserves, having experienced a similar situation in 2006, the last time these two neighbors reached an impasse.
Via AFP (link may expire)
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