COHEN: Russia's gas war

“Moscow has threatened or cut off supplies to a number of countries over the last seven years.” Strong statement. Unfortunately, the author somehow failed to give examples. May be because the list would only include Ukraine (which failed to pay and stole European gas) and Belarus (a close Russian ally which however also failed to pay but which found a solution by selling some of its assets – a solution that Ukraine rejects)? Russia never used gas as a “geopolitical weapon”. This common place statement about “political aspect” is a profound lie. The Baltic states, Poland with which Russia has much more serious political disagreements and even Georgia which murdered Russian peacekeepers and civilians and was punished for that, had no problems with Russian gas supplies. For a simple reason – they agreed upon with Russia a transition period within which the prices went up to the market level and performed the payments according to the schedule. The problem lies entirely within Ukraine which is a failed state with corrupted and hopeless government. This government does not want to agree upon any gas prices transition schedule, it is used to siphoning off the European gas, it is freezing off it own population (mainly, in the areas where there is a high % of ethnical Russians) and at the same time it is claiming that it has pumped in its storages the amount of gas equal to Ukrainian annual consumption. Moreover, it is selling gas (presumably at much higher, market prices) to Eastern Europe. And it is not going to become any better. By the way, RosUkrEnergo mentioned in the article, was created upon the request of the Ukrainian side. 50% of its shares are owned by Gasprom. Another, Ukrainian 50% are owned by some suspicious Ukrainian “businessmen”. So, when speaking about “greasing palms”, speak about Ukraine. A solution to the current crisis is to build the pipelines around Ukraine. I just want to draw your attention to the fact that ALL other Russian pipelines to Western Europe function normally. Russia is the most reliable gas supplier which has never breached its obligations to Western Europe. However, if the author simply hates Russia because he hates Russia – he should simply confess in this and not to invent funny lies. He would not be alone – quite a lot of people had similar feelings. Probably, almost as many as those who hated Jews. Actually, Hitler would be a shining example fusing these two groups. Please join.

It may be about top dollar and it may also be about a warning to Europe about what coming. Russia has not moved out of Georgia (BTC pipeline). Russia has formed an interesting alliance with Venezuela and promised Iran to help finish their nuclear program. What do these add up to? A strategic initiative to control the energy in Europe? Think about it. If Israel takes the initiative to prevent Iran from going nuclear, Iran will threaten the Straits of Hormuz. Positive for Russia. If Chavez supports Iran, he can cut off oil to the U.S., China will be more than happy to accomodate his oil. Positive for Russia. Russia then intimidates NATO out of Europe through energy. Russia is energy independent and the price of energy in Europe is controlled by Russia. New economic and political boom for Russia and the U.S. will still be chasing global warming when we are at the beginning of a cooling period and building the infrastructure for 10 years to meet Pelosi's and Boxer's "green" plan.

Gas supplies to Western Europe are flowing freely and there are no shortages. I would presume if we in the US stopped paying the Mexicans etc for our oil that they would do the same as Russia has in the Ukraine. But then again, ever notice how quiet and compliant the US is about Saudi human-rights abuses. It sems we ourselves are just as scared as the Western Europeans in relation to countries who are in a position to turn off the oil taps

The EU relies too much on Russian energy? The only reason for this is that Russia proved its reliability as Europe’s most responsible energy supplier. If Ukraine doesn’t accept basic market rules – IT’S NOT Russia’s fault. If Ukraine just steals gas on its way to the EU – IT’S NOT Russia’s fault! Ukraine (as well as some other former Soviet republics) has enjoyed very comfortable gas prices since the Soviet Union collapsed. It’s really difficult to count how much Russia lost because of its kindness… Now Moscow just wants to get NORMAL MARKET PRICE for its gas. That’s it. And the EU will get its gas as soon as Ukraine stops stealing it. Mr. Cohen writes: Washington can support Europe's diversification of pipeline routes in Eurasia Thanks to Washington. Russia also wants to diversify those routes... - in order to avoid the stealing of its gas by Ukraine. That’s why Russia supports the construction of the North Stream and the South Stream pipelines. Mr. Cohen claims: With Ukrainian presidential elections slated for 2010, Russia is escalating the gas crisis to discredit President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko in the eyes of the voters. You must visit Ukraine to understand how deep the political crisis in the country is. Both President Yushchenko and Prime Minister Timoshenko did a lot to discredit themselves. People in Ukraine are tired of the long-lasting row between Ukraine’s top 2 persons which affects much the country’s economy. Since the so-called “Orange revolution” took place, the decline and impoverishment of their country is the only thing people in Ukraine have seen. So, the gas crisis has nothing to do with Russia’s alleged influence on the Ukrainian election. It is the result of the crisis inside Ukraine.

I am sorry for my English. To me interestingly such articles also are paid as well as at us in Russia. Yes in your America democracy on gramme has more, than in Russia. At you also all is bought and sold. And in foreign policy you absolutely the most impudent. Struggle as though for democracy, impose the conditions and standards only. And all the same eventually the Islamic countries will destroy America, you will achieve it, is not to you easy. So still ask about the help.

I am sorry for my English. To me interestingly such articles also are paid as well as at us in Russia. Yes in your America democracy on gramme has more, than in Russia. At you also all is bought and sold. And in foreign policy you absolutely the most impudent. Struggle as though for democracy, impose the conditions and standards only. And all the same eventually the Islamic countries will destroy America, you will achieve it, is not to you easy. So still ask about the help.

I am just wondering how can journalists write articles of the kind,not disposing of any confirmed facts, actually I haven't ecountered a single fact in it, full of trickery, lies, insults concerning Russia. I am so indignant to read all that mud that is falling on us without cease. Why are you poking your long american noses everywhere on this planet? What right have you got to do so? Initiating wars, splitting countries(Serbia,if you know what does this word mean or where it is) Russia has never initiated a single war in the thousands of years of its history, what gas war are you speaking about? It was the US who started an economic war against almost every country, look what we have now, thanks to you, and to our naivety and belief in your friendship. Why don't you just order to the government of the Ucraine to behave themselves, the way you do with Georgia. You bought them all, why don't they work the money paid by the West? One possible and evident reason: you want all of us dead, out of business, ugly , under your control. You might not be aware, but we defeated Hitler...so why don't you stick to your home policy, provide your people with medical assistance and let the World live?

Well Putin really showed the Ukraine. 'As punishment for behaving like a sovereign state in our sphere of influence you can't have any more gas. However we would still like to send 80% of our exports through your territory if thats OK. However this gas is strictly for other people. Oh, and we still want to continue paying cut price transportation fees.' It seems the Russians have a very simple choice. Either make nice with the Ukraine and make a deal that is beneficial and reasonable to both sides, or start building a hell of a lot more pipeline somewhere else. Just stop throwing a tantrum about how unfair it all is and how its probably all the fault of the Americans.

I would ask Ksenia_star, since there are not "any confirmed facts, actually I haven't ecountered a single fact in it," how do you conclude that it (the article) is "full of trickery, lies, insults concerning Russia? It could not be, perhaps, that your long Russian nose is blocking your perception, could it? What planet are you living on anyway: "What right have you got to do so? Initiating wars, splitting countries(Serbia,if you know what does this word mean or where it is) Russia has never initiated a single war in the thousands of years of its history." Oh? I see that to you slaughtering millions of your own countrymen and women and children is not war. What do you call it, cleansing? And exactly what were the attempts of Stalin and following to, as Khrushchev so aptly put it, "bury you," as he pounded his shoe on the table at the UN? And your peace-loving Soviet Union swallowed whole the land of my ancestors, Lithuania, along with Latvia, and Estonia. What do you call that, Ksenia_star? If you are going to spew out venom, at anyone, Ksenia_star, America or otherwise, at least learn some real history, and not the pseudo-history found in your still-Soviet text books (of course, academia in America is no better, being just as socialist as you). Your rantings are just like the ultra-liberals here in the U. S. I suppose that the idea is for all the kindred socialists to unite, worldwide, nailing the lid on the cofin of liberty and democracy--what is left of it.

Ah, as always, popping up in the most likely places, petemurray once again demonstrates that he is in the wrong country. Why do you not join Ksenia_star, so you can have what you really want?

It is almost impossible to explain how the EU allowed the gas crisis to reach this dangerous point. Where is common European approach? Whas there anything done to deal with consequenses of Russia's Gazpromization and politicized sales?

Mr Cohen has problems with logic: Ukraine did not want to pay $230 (istead of $179) though it is much lower than european price of $450. Instead, Ukraine started syphon gas that belong to EU customers. It looks that Ukraine is blackmailing Russia , using its transiter position as a political and economical weapon, not the other way around. But for guys like Cohen Russia always is a bad guy - by definition. Cohen makes his living painting Russia as an 'evil empire' - probably it helps to destract attention from Gaza 'concentration camp' (expression used by Vatican to describe humanitarian situation there)

Where is the logic in here, Mr. Cohen?: "Ukraine used to pay for gas way BELOW Europe's MARKET PRICES, while Kiev is trying to deny Russian accusations of siphoning off gas earmarked for the Europeans. BUT MOSCOW'S demands go beyond GREED." "Moscow has threatened or cut off supplies to a number of countries over the last seven years." - Please name these countries. Actually the article of Mr. Cohen was written for this goal: "Though it's primarily a European crisis, the United States can help. Washington can support Europe's diversification of pipeline routes in Eurasia, specifically, construction of the Nabucco pipeline"- No?.. Just read part 3 item 2 of the Ukrainian-American Chater that Kiev tried to attach to agreement. The Russians would laugh at if its government agree with it. What I think about. Yes, it's a European crisis only. Yes, the Russian government protects interests of nation. What does the Ukrainian one do? - it follows U.S. interests and doesn't think about its own citizens as well as europeans. The author correctly noticed, Gazprom hasn't stopped gas supplies to Georgia, Russia had the August war with.. So what? Who is guilty actually? Rhetorical question.

jsyantiss, Stalin is history for the Russians. Murder of 3.000 citizens in trade centres is your present, alas.

2 jsyantiss Look, your beloved Baltic states (while some of their governments are as inefficient as the Ukrainian one – so that thousands of people take to the streets of Riga to protest) don’t like Russia. Bilateral relations are tense. But all three countries buy Russian gas for the market price. Despite being pro-Western oriented, those countries follow the market rules. Even Georgia pays the market price. What reason does have Ukraine for being an exception?! It’s not a matter of history; it’s not a matter of politics. It’s a matter of following the international market rules and international agreements as well. The gas delivery system to the EU consists of 2 major components: a supplier (Russia) and a consumer (European countries). Natural gas goes from Russia to leave pipeline in Europe. Ukraine is just country on its way. It can’t take any gas from that pipe. It’s illegal. So, Kiev violates the law and… gets support from the U.S. and Western media. They support international energy criminals. Nice.