Russia shuts off gas for the Ukraine.

[SocialRealist]

What is the current situation right now?

If you havent heard Russia shut of gas from the Ukraine.

[ev]

I'm assuming the current situation is that Ukraine isn't getting anymore gas, that this move is more political than it is economical and Ukraine will bow before Russia because Russia has the natural resources card & knows how to play poker.. uh i mean politics.

[Bilan]

Ivan, don't spam or I'll sort you out like the washing.

OP, could you source this please?

[RedResurrection]

I would like to say that Russia are in their full right to do this.

Ukraine refused to pay their gas bill. Now that they have paid for it, they aren't paying for more gas, but in stead stealing it from the Russian pipelines going through the country. Russia has had no other choice but to close off the gas. The current status of the financial crisis means that it is absolutely vital for Russia to gather money. Russia has suffered heavily at the hands of this crisis. Why is Ukraine crying? It is perfectly understandable that Russia wants money for the gas it exports. It's not free for the ukrainians to take.

Now, unfortunately for the West, who happens to support(and are probably behind) the puppet regime of Ukraine, has to suffer. Russia has closed off its pipes that delivers gas to Europe, because it goes through Ukraine, where gas is being stolen.


Of course there is a policial part of this too. And Russia are in their full right to do this, as western imperialistic capitalists are working to put more and more NATO soldiers on Russias borders. This includes Estonia, and the proposed membership of Ukraine and Georgia, with especially USA being the biggest supporter of this NATO expansion.

Russia cannot sit back and watch the greedy imperialists close in on them. Even if that means shutting of their gas.

This situation is ENTIRELY Ukraines fault. And the West has probably had a finger in this too.


That is my view of it.

[ev]

Ivan, don't spam or I'll sort you out like the washing.

OP, could you source this please?

Define spam. I'll help out.


Many European countries have been hit by a sudden cut in Russian gas supplies, as sub-zero temperatures coincide with a Russian-Ukrainian row over energy prices. The impact has been felt especially severely in the Balkans.
Most of the countries affected are in the European Union. How are they coping?

AUSTRIA
No more Russian natural gas is being delivered to Austria, the country's energy group OMV says. Deliveries had already plunged by about 90% on Tuesday in Austria.
OMV says it has about 1.75bn cubic metres of natural gas in storage - enough to cover Austrian domestic demand for three months during the winter.
Austria gets about 70% of its gas from Russia, according to 2006 figures cited by the European Council on Foreign Relations think-tank.
Temperatures plunged to about -11C across much of Austria on Wednesday.

BULGARIA
Bulgaria reported on Tuesday that its supplies of Russian gas - delivered via a pipeline across Ukraine - had halted. Bulgaria gets more than 80% of its gas from Russia.
Bulgaria has started rationing gas supplies to industry, warning that stocks may run out in a matter of days.
The situation is acute because Bulgaria lacks alternative gas supplies and has only modest reserves, President Georgi Purvanov says. He has suggested restarting a reactor at the Kozloduy nuclear power station, which was partially shut down on safety grounds as a condition of Bulgaria's EU accession in 2007.
Two towns in eastern Bulgaria - Varna and Dobrich - are reported to be totally lacking gas supplies.
Temperature: Down to -5C in some areas on Wednesday.

BOSNIA-HERCEGOVINA
Bosnia-Hercegovina says its supplies of Russian gas stopped on Tuesday. It gets all of its gas from Russia, via pipelines across Ukraine and Hungary.
Heavy gas users are reported to be switching to alternative fuels where possible.
Bosnia's operator BH Gas says the country has no gas reserves and has advised consumers to use other fuels or cut back on their gas use, Reuters reports.
Temperature: About -10C on Wednesday in Sarajevo.

CROATIA
Croatia says its supplies of Russian gas halted early on Tuesday, resumed at about 20% of the normal level in the afternoon, then halted again overnight into Wednesday.
The economy ministry says gas deliveries to big industrial consumers have been reduced.
Croatia itself produces nearly half of the natural gas it needs, but most of the rest is imported from Russia.
Temperature: About -5C on Wednesday in Zagreb.

CZECH REPUBLIC
Czech officials say the country's supplies of Russian gas halted completely overnight into Wednesday. The Czech Republic gets more than 80% of its gas from Russia.
Czech gas importer RWE Transgas, quoted by Reuters, says it has reserves equal to 40 days' consumption. It has started using the reserves and is getting extra supplies via a separate pipeline bringing mainly Norwegian gas.
Temperature: About -9C in Prague on Wednesday.

GERMANY
German officials say supplies of Russian gas have dropped but there will be no immediate hardship for consumers.
Energy provider E.ON Ruhrgas says shortages might arise if there is a prolonged stoppage combined with continuing freezing weather. Energy-heavy industries could be hurt in that case, it says.
Another major German supplier, Wingas, says its customers will not be hit because its imports from Russia come via Belarus and Poland.
Germany gets nearly half of its gas from Russia. Germany and Italy together account for nearly half of all the Russian gas consumed in the EU.
Temperature: About -9C in Berlin on Wednesday.

HUNGARY
Hungary reported a complete halt of Russian gas supplies on Tuesday. It gets 40% of its gas through the trans-Ukraine pipeline.
Hungary has reduced gas supplies to heavy industrial users, advising them to switch to other fuels if possible.
Temperature: About -5C in Budapest on Wednesday.

SERBIA
Serbia's Srbijagas, which imports 92% of its natural gas from Russia, says it has about 10 days' reserves left. Belgrade's electricity generators have switched to using fuel oil, and have urged consumers to economise on their use of electricity.
Temperature: About -6C in Belgrade on Wednesday.

SLOVAKIA
Slovakia declared a state of energy emergency on Tuesday after supplies of Russian gas plunged by 70%. The country normally gets all of its gas from Russia - yet no more is coming now.
Economy Minister Lubomir Jahnatek vowed that the gas disruption would not hit households, hospitals and schools.
Temperature: About -5C in Bratislava on Wednesday.

TURKEY
Supplies of Russian gas via the trans-Ukraine pipeline have halted. But the government says it is increasing the flow through an alternative pipeline, under the Black Sea, to compensate.
Turkey gets about 65% of its gas from Russia and about one-third of its daily supply has now been cut. But the government says it has sufficient gas stocks to avoid immediate economic hardship.
Temperature: About -5C in Ankara on Wednesday.

UKRAINE
Russia halted its gas supplies to Ukraine on New Year's Day. Russia's energy giant Gazprom accused Ukraine on Tuesday of shutting down the export pipelines that take gas to European countries. Meanwhile, Ukraine denies Russian claims that it has been stealing gas intended for customers in the EU.
Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko insisted on Wednesday that since 1 January "Ukraine has been consuming only gas it produces itself and gas from underground storage facilities".
Ukraine has about 16bn cubic metres of gas in an underground storage system and the government does not expect any shortages until early April, the AP news agency reports.
Temperature: About -12C in Kiev on Wednesday.

[Bilan]

Thanks for the info, Ivan.
And by Spam, I mean the post I trashed rambling on about playing cards with Russians.

[ev]

I would like to say that Russia are in their full right to do this.

Ukraine refused to pay their gas bill. Now that they have paid for it, they aren't paying for more gas, but in stead stealing it from the Russian pipelines going through the country. Russia has had no other choice but to close off the gas. The current status of the financial crisis means that it is absolutely vital for Russia to gather money. Russia has suffered heavily at the hands of this crisis. Why is Ukraine crying? It is perfectly understandable that Russia wants money for the gas it exports. It's not free for the ukrainians to take.

Now, unfortunately for the West, who happens to support(and are probably behind) the puppet regime of Ukraine, has to suffer. Russia has closed off its pipes that delivers gas to Europe, because it goes through Ukraine, where gas is being stolen.


Of course there is a policial part of this too. And Russia are in their full right to do this, as western imperialistic capitalists are working to put more and more NATO soldiers on Russias borders. This includes Estonia, and the proposed membership of Ukraine and Georgia, with especially USA being the biggest supporter of this NATO expansion.

Russia cannot sit back and watch the greedy imperialists close in on them. Even if that means shutting of their gas.

This situation is ENTIRELY Ukraines fault. And the West has probably had a finger in this too.


That is my view of it.

Are you serious? Okay, I'll put this very simply. Russia is using it's large amount of resources and converting that into political influence to counter the spread of NATO (in the east). I guarantee that Russia will continue to cut off the gas to Ukraine until Ukraine stops trying to join NATO and Ukraine will stop doing this when the prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko succeeds Viktor Yushchenko as president and controls foreign affairs as she is more pro-Kremlin than pro-NATO. But really, who cares about these recent occurances, the Kremlin has been doing this for a few years now..

[Wanted Man]

Hah, suckers! We have our own gas, so no harm here. :laugh: *cough* stolen from Groningen by the rich capitalists from the big cities *cough*

[RedResurrection]

Are you serious? Okay, I'll put this very simply. Russia is using it's large amount of resources and converting that into political influence to counter the spread of NATO (in the east). I guarantee that Russia will continue to cut off the gas to Ukraine until Ukraine stops trying to join NATO and Ukraine will stop doing this when the prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko succeeds Viktor Yushchenko as president and controls foreign affairs as she is more pro-Kremlin than pro-NATO. But really, who cares about these recent occurances, the Kremlin has been doing this for a few years now..

are YOU serious? Like i said, there is a political part of it as well, but YOU have decided to HIDE the fact from other readers that Ukraine has been stealing gas and has refused to pay its bills! Which in my eyes, makes you a perverter of reality. If that means that the west loses its gas, then so be it. Ukraine should have been more careful. But thats what they want. The puppet regime of Yushchenko, with his western supporters in the UK and USA, wants to provoke Russia. This is NATO imperialism in the making. Could you really tell me why they would want Ukraine and Georgia in the NATO? 2 poor nations that would cost them billions and billions of dollars. One simple reason. To put even more pressure on Russia, and to surround their borders.

[ev]

are YOU serious? Like i said, there is a political part of it as well, but YOU have decided to HIDE the fact from other readers that Ukraine has been stealing gas and has refused to pay its bills! Which in my eyes, makes you a perverter of reality.

Sob, did you hear that?! He called me a "perverter of reality" ban him! :laugh:
Alright, I'm a fan of Russian politics I am, really. But that is an irrelevant fact, Cuba is late on repayments to Russia as well but is Russia imposing any economic sanctions? No. What I am saying is that the Kremlins move is purely political as a way of saying "hey, your doing something that we don't like, stop it or we will do something YOU don't like"

Also, it was more in regard to not being able to negotiate a price for 2009. You should read up on more than one news source (may I suggest something from Moscow & the western bloc) but you can't trust either news source individually because they're both serving the interests of their own party.

So take that, you.. pro-Kremlin westerner!

[RedResurrection]

Sob, did you hear that?! He called me a "perverter of reality" ban him! :laugh:
Alright, I'm a fan of Russian politics I am, really. But that is an irrelevant fact, Cuba is late on repayments to Russia as well but is Russia imposing any economic sanctions? No. What I am saying is that the Kremlins move is purely political as a way of saying "hey, your doing something that we don't like, stop it or we will do something YOU don't like"

Also, it was more in regard to not being able to negotiate a price for 2009. You should read up on more than one news source (may I suggest something from Moscow & the western bloc) but you can't trust either news source individually because they're both serving the interests of their own party.

So take that, you.. pro-Kremlin westerner!

Doesn't seem like you wanted to quote my entire reply. Hmm... Wonder why? Well, well, onto the subject.

Are you going to cry and try to get me banned for that? Pathetic. Cuba is late on repayments yes, and like I have stated 2 times now, I AGREE WITH YOU THAT THERE IS A POLTICIAL PART. Maybe if you read my entire posts, misunderstandings like this wouldnt happen. Is that so hard to get through to you?! Cuba is not posing any threat to Russia. Why should Russia sanction them? Ukraine and their president Yuschenko, however, are the same dirt as Georgia and Saakashvili. Yes, perhaps they would like to get closer to the west, but the way this is going, it is certainly meant to piss Russia off.

A pro-kremlin westerner? Is that what you are calling me? Perhaps you didn't catch my location?


Maybe you should eat your tie.

[ev]

Doesn't seem like you wanted to quote my entire reply. Hmm... Wonder why? Well, well, onto the subject.

Are you going to cry and try to get me banned for that? Pathetic. Cuba is late on repayments yes, and like I have stated 2 times now, I AGREE WITH YOU THAT THERE IS A POLTICIAL PART. Is that so hard to get through to you?! Cuba is not posing any threat to Russia. Why should Russia sanction them? Ukraine and their president Yuschenko, however, are the same dirt as Georgia and Saakashvili. Yes, perhaps they would like to get closer to the west, but the way this is going, it is certainly meant to piss Russia off.

A pro-kremlin westerner? Is that what you are calling me? Perhaps you didn't catch my location?

Maybe you should eat your tie.

(I'll quote your entire response as to waste room and appease you)
I was under the assumption that you could distinguish what sarcasm was, if not I wasn't trying to get you banned that was merely a sarcastic comment. It's good that you have acknowledge the "POLITICAL PART" as you've said. It seems that I've already answered the question and you're just reiterating facts that you want me to acknowledge, so yes, NATO expansion is viewed as aggressive expansion towards Russia and Russia doesn't like it when it isn't viewed as a member of the European community.
Also, Norway is a western country but I wasn't serious, so chill the fuck out ;)

[Woland]

Its simple; Ukraine wont pay Gazprom for the gas, even when they get it much cheaper than the rest of Europe, and even after negotiations, Ukraine still refuses to pay. Now, since Europe still gets a lot of its gas through pipelines in Ukraine, the gas gets simply stolen, i.e. Gazprom sends a certain amount of gas in and only a percentage of it comes out of Ukraine, hence the lack of gas in most of European countries, so now Gazprom cut off the gas to stop this from happening.

I think there are gonna be some further negotiations on Thursday and some other talks with some European countries a bit later.

Anyway, the only part where Russian ''bullying'' comes in is when they demanded the payment, which is understandable, but the tensions have probably led to Gazprom being a bit harsh on Ukraine about it.

Frankly, I think its just that Ukraine simply doesnt have the money to pay for the gas. The crisis has hit them hard and they are currenly in talks with the IMF to get some sort of a loan, with state bancruptcy (like many eastern european countries at the moment) looming over them.

[RedResurrection]

Its simple; Ukraine wont pay Gazprom for the gas, even when they get it much cheaper than the rest of Europe, and even after negotiations, Ukraine still refuses to pay. Now, since Europe still gets a lot of its gas through pipelines in Ukraine, the gas gets simply stolen, i.e. Gazprom sends a certain amount of gas and only a percentage of it comes out of Ukraine, hence the lack of gas in most of European countries, so now Gazprom cut off the gas to stop this from happening.

I think there are gonna be some further negotiations on Thursday and some other talks with some European countries a bit later.

Anyway, the only part where Russian ''bullying'' comes in is when they demanded the payment, which is understandable, but the tensions have probably led to Gazprom being a bit harsh on Ukraine about it.

Frankly, I dont think Ukraine simply has the money to pay for the gas. The crisis has hit them hard and they are currenly in talks with the IMF to get some sort of a loan.

Excellent put, my friend. However it is also important to not that this is just recent events are are part of a broader conflict. Which includes the NATO expansion. Some people in here does not seem to get that. Even in here, there are people that are promoting what they have learned through the western propaganda, and that is the opposite of what I stand for.

[RedResurrection]

(I'll quote your entire response as to waste room and appease you)
I was under the assumption that you could distinguish what sarcasm was, if not I wasn't trying to get you banned that was merely a sarcastic comment. It's good that you have acknowledge the "POLITICAL PART" as you've said. It seems that I've already answered the question and you're just reiterating facts that you want me to acknowledge, so yes, NATO expansion is viewed as aggressive expansion towards Russia and Russia doesn't like it when it isn't viewed as a member of the European community.
Also, Norway is a western country but I wasn't serious, so chill the fuck out ;)
__________________

Reiterating facts that I want you to acknowledge? Quite the opposite. I am trying to make you answer to what I write, instead of ignoring the parts you have no answer to.

Does it not say Norway & Russia? Ignorance...

[ev]

Its simple; Ukraine wont pay Gazprom for the gas, even when they get it much cheaper than the rest of Europe, and even after negotiations, Ukraine still refuses to pay. Now, since Europe still gets a lot of its gas through pipelines in Ukraine, the gas gets simply stolen, i.e. Gazprom sends a certain amount of gas in and only a percentage of it comes out of Ukraine, hence the lack of gas in most of European countries, so now Gazprom cut off the gas to stop this from happening.

I think there are gonna be some further negotiations on Thursday and some other talks with some European countries a bit later.

Anyway, the only part where Russian ''bullying'' comes in is when they demanded the payment, which is understandable, but the tensions have probably led to Gazprom being a bit harsh on Ukraine about it.

Frankly, I think its just that Ukraine simply doesnt have the money to pay for the gas. The crisis has hit them hard and they are currenly in talks with the IMF to get some sort of a loan, with state bancruptcy (like many eastern european countries at the moment) looming over them.

That's right, but we also need to consider who owns Gazprom? the Russian government (since 2006)


Reiterating facts that I want you to acknowledge? Quite the opposite. I am trying to make you answer to what I write, instead of ignoring the parts you have no answer to.

Does it not say Norway & Russia? Ignorance...

Lay your questions out better. So you live in Norway & Russia at the same time and western culture hasn't influenced you at all? Ignorance.. :rolleyes: (note the sarcastic smilie next to ignorance)

[RedResurrection]

That's right, but we also need to consider who owns Gazprom? the Russian government (since 2006)



Lay your questions out better. So you live in Norway & Russia at the same time and western culture hasn't influenced you at all? Ignorance.. :rolleyes: (note the sarcastic smilie next to ignorance)

About Gazprom: While it is true that the Russian government owns a fair deal of Gazprom, you are AGAIN painting a wrong picture of the truth. And even if they did own it all, so what? It wouldn't matter. Ukraine would still steal gas and Ukraine would still be part of the NATO expansion plan.


To answer the other, and rather yet another ignorant comment from you, I happen to be a dual citizen. What on earth makes you only take Norway into account in stead of Russia and how does it exceed the fact that I live in Russia as well? And no I am not very influenced by the culture of Norway. Just because I am in Norway does not change me very much as long as i have my integrity in place. To be honest, I dont care about nationality, I am first and foremost a human being and a communist, as my family has been for generations. I have family members who participated in the October Revolution. I have family members who died in the Siege of Leningrad. I have family members in the former Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Who are you to tell me where I am from? It is obvious where I am from and it is obvious where my head is at. Where is your head at? What do YOU really know? And what sort of a naive person must you be? Every single argument you have used on here, are directly out of the american and western news, the ULTIMATE propaganda machine.

[ev]

How am I painting a "wrong picture of the truth" elaborate. You are wrong in regard to the government ownership on Gazprom having no affect on it's operations & activities, the fact of the matter is that the government of Russia owns and runs Gazprom to promote the interests of the state.

I don't see how you can say that you've lived in Norway and that it has not influenced you what so ever. Furthermore I have not sourced ANY of my articles or information from US sources, so don't say that and be hypocritical. I don't want to waste any more space on this thread replying to your comments, if you wish to sort this out please be curtious to other members and PM me, other people should have the opportunity to post their opinions on this matter. Oh and I don't care who your family members were, how is that relevant? Hypocrite.

[RedResurrection]

How am I painting a "wrong picture of the truth" elaborate. You are wrong in regard to the government ownership on Gazprom having no affect on it's operations & activities, the fact of the matter is that the government of Russia owns and runs Gazprom to promote the interests of the state.

I don't see how you can say that you've lived in Norway and that it has not influenced you what so ever. Furthermore I have not sourced ANY of my articles or information from US sources, so don't say that and be hypocritical. I don't want to waste any more space on this thread replying to your comments, if you wish to sort this out please be curtious to other members and PM me, other people should have the opportunity to post their opinions on this matter. Oh and I don't care who your family members were, how is that relevant? Hypocrite.

1. You are painting a wrong picture of it by saying that Russia controls Gazprom. It owns some of it and has influence in it yes, and it does use it against Ukraine but not in the scale you are talking about. Ukraine still is obligated to pay their bills. It is not true that the Russian government possesses absolute control, which is what you said, since you said that the Russian government controls it. And you are also painting yet another picture by implying that Russia uses Gazprom to get everything their way. Where do you get this from? FOX NEWS? I never thought I would have this discussion in THIS forum.

How am I being hypocritical? I have not sourced anything from western media. My views are the exact opposite of the western medias view of it. Your view is basically the same as the western media. NOW whos the hypocrite?

2. And what gives you a right to claim that? You don't know me. You don't know anything. You have no clue, and should not even have AN OPINION of where I am from. That is not relevant and will not be discussed further! And if it matters who my family is? Well, yes it does. I wonder what history you have to back up for yourself. Your father was probably nothing but a western right-wing capitalist(yes i can say and assume this, since you did the same about me and my whereabouts). And this is very reflected in you as to the matter on how you suck western capitalist zionist media to you like its the only truth there is.

[Red October]

Is there any evidence that Ukraine is actually stealing gas from Russia? All I've heard are unsourced assertions.

[KC]

Recent developments from Al Jazeera:
Gazprom: Gas monitoring deal close

Ukraine has agreed to allow Russian energy officials into Ukraine, removing a key obstacle to a deal on resuming gas supplies to Europe, Gazprom, the Russian state energy company, has said.


"Ukraine ... has accepted the offer to create an international multilateral monitoring commission," Alexei Miller, the company's chief executive, said.


The deal would allows Russian officials to check gas flowing through Ukraine to Europe, he added.


"We hope that things will now move quickly and constructively and that the Ukrainian side will abide by the agreement that it has so far accepted only in words," Miller said.


A European Union gas monitoring team arrived in Kiev, Ukraine's capital, on Friday but, even if a final deal is signed, it is still expected to take several days before any new shipments reach Europe.


FULL STORY (http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/01/200919142114935109.html)

[SocialRealist]

Source: Reuters [http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSL948399020090109]
Summary: KIEV, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said on Friday Russia should be able to confirm soon that it has resumed gas supplies to Europe.

[Josef Balin]

1. You are painting a wrong picture of it by saying that Russia controls Gazprom. It owns some of it and has influence in it yes, and it does use it against Ukraine but not in the scale you are talking about. Ukraine still is obligated to pay their bills. It is not true that the Russian government possesses absolute control, which is what you said, since you said that the Russian government controls it. And you are also painting yet another picture by implying that Russia uses Gazprom to get everything their way. Where do you get this from? FOX NEWS? I never thought I would have this discussion in THIS forum.

How am I being hypocritical? I have not sourced anything from western media. My views are the exact opposite of the western medias view of it. Your view is basically the same as the western media. NOW whos the hypocrite?

2. And what gives you a right to claim that? You don't know me. You don't know anything. You have no clue, and should not even have AN OPINION of where I am from. That is not relevant and will not be discussed further! And if it matters who my family is? Well, yes it does. I wonder what history you have to back up for yourself. Your father was probably nothing but a western right-wing capitalist(yes i can say and assume this, since you did the same about me and my whereabouts). And this is very reflected in you as to the matter on how you suck western capitalist zionist media to you like its the only truth there is.
Your father must be borderline retarded to have raised a son who would randomly try to insult someone on an online forum.

[Woland]

Is there any evidence that Ukraine is actually stealing gas from Russia? All I've heard are unsourced assertions.

Thats a pretty weird thing you're asking for, because, all sources are the same and the only evidence we have is that Europe got less gas than was sent to it, but it raises an interesting question. Gazprom is blaming Ukraine for stealing the gas, but there is -no- evidence Ukraine actually stole anything, hence all the monitors that are being sent there.

Once again, it went like this: Right after the stop of Gazprom's gas deliveries to the Ukraine, it still continued to send gas to Europe through it's pipelines in Ukraine. Then, several European countries reported shortage in delivery and this has led to the accusation of stealing and the subsequent stopping of all gas delivery through Ukraine by Gasprom.

So yes, in all honesty, its completely possible that Gazprom just sent less gas in and then just blamed Ukraine for stealing the gas for some sort of a drama. The thing is, Ukraine has just very very recently responded to the accusation, saying that it ''did not steal the gas''. Of course, Ukraine might hold the gas to be its righteous property, but it has not developed much upon refuting the claim besides this.

Anyway, this is an interesting development and controversy to watch out for.


Your father must be borderline retarded to have raised a son who would randomly try to insult someone on an online forum.

Oh the irony, your father smellt of elderberries, so stop trolling.

[Woland]

Well, talks failed. Even though the monitors were in place in Ukraine to oversee things (or as Gazprom would say, make sure nothing got stolen) and everything was set for Gazprom to start sending the gas again through Ukraine, this just collapsed. Oh well.

The funny thing is, Ukraine has enough gas to last itself for a year. Ha! While most of Europe can't even last a month. So right now, Gazprom is crying foul and accuses Ukraine of being extortionist, it can be said Ukraine finds itself in a pretty safe position. Perhaps they would use it to make sure Gazprom would give it more time, or that it would continue selling gas to it at ''friendly'' prices. But then, Gazprom is a strong enemy. This will be interesting, atleast.