Ukraine mulls blocking Russian oil and gas to Europe
Source: DW
Kyiv has warned it might cut Russian energy transit flows to Europe and ban Russian airlines from crossing its airspace. Ukraine has also proposed sanctions on Russian individuals and companies "financing terrorism."
Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk said on Friday that the measures are part of a sanctions bill that will be submitted to parliament, which is expected to vote on it next Tuesday.
The embargo includes complete or partial bans on all energy resources from Russia, and also over flights and road traffic via Ukrainian territory, the Ukrainian premier added.
The news pushed up gas prices on the London market on Friday, the Reuters news agency reported.
Ukraine serves as a vital route for Russian oil and gas to Europe. In the past, disputes over energy resulted in supply cuts for European consumers. In June, Moscow stopped its gas deliveries to Ukraine over a payment issue.
Read more: http://www.dw.de/ukraine-mulls-blocking-russian-oil-and-gas-to-europe/a-17842511
bemildred
(90,061 posts)dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts).
KoKo
(84,711 posts)I suspect that might well fit him at some time in the future when the "austerity" on the people begins to kick in. We shall see.
ballyhoo
(2,060 posts)The Magistrate
(95,244 posts)It works both to warn Russia off and to let Europe know there can be odd consequences to not lending solid help. People use what is to hand.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)I am less sure it will have the effect he hopes for, although it may serve to focus peoples minds back on pragmatic issues.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)The Magistrate
(95,244 posts)Approve or not, they would want the tap open, and for that, there will be a price to be met, if this is actually set as policy.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)The Magistrate
(95,244 posts)"Gold, bread, men and steel are the sinews of war. Gold and bread may get men and steel. Men and steel can always get bread and gold."
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)which is on Nord Steam.
Ukraine itself would at least avoid cost of reverse feeds with nothing to reverse. And winter is 3 months away.............
The Magistrate
(95,244 posts)A very large portion of Russian gas normally flows through Ukraine, and it is unclear just how much of that alternate routes can handle.
Of course, most of this is posturing, and that on both sides. Russia, after all, would take a substantial financial hit if it were to embargo sales to Europe.
No one really wants to press this thing to the knife, and so the one which seems most willing to do just that has an edge.
cosmicone
(11,014 posts)and bring back the old system. That will assure energy supplies and Russia will bear the liability of keeping Ukraine afloat.
After Greece, Iceland and Ireland, EU is not too hot to have more basket-case members anyway.
daleo
(21,317 posts)Quite a strategy.
The Magistrate
(95,244 posts)One may have leverage to either side.
BillZBubb
(10,650 posts)Ukraine is not militarily strong enough to enforce such a ban. It would give Putin an excuse for regime change in Kiev. I am also not sure what agreements Russia and Ukraine have in place to allow the flow of oil and gas, but there must be something. If Ukraine ignores those agreements, Russia will respond negatively, to put it mildly.
It also wouldn't make the Europeans happy and Ukraine really needs Europe's support.
cosmicone
(11,014 posts)send military into Ukraine to "protect the pipelines."
We use military to protect straights of Hormuz for economic reasons - so there is precedence.