Gazprom accuses Ukraine of blackmail: Get ready for the hot phase in this energy dispute!
Today's Financial News - Posted December 31, 2008
Gazprom today claimed that Ukraine has threatened to seize Russian gas transported through Ukrainian pipelines to Europe.
**** UPDATE Jan 1, 2009: Gazprom makes its move!
by J. Christoph Amberger
Baltimore — (TFN): Did you think that the energy dispute between Russia’s natural gas monopoly Gazprom and Ukraine was over? Not so: Gazprom today claimed that Ukraine has threatened to seize Russian gas transported through Ukrainian pipelines to Europe.
The company called it a “blackmail” threat, made after it that warned gas supplies to Ukraine would stop unless Kiev signed a new contract by 1 January.
This marks a poignant shift of focus. Up until yesterday, it was Ukraine’s unpaid bills that were at the center of the dispute. But Kiev transferred the $1.5 billion to Gazprom for winter deliveries. In vain, it would seem: Paying off its gas debt is no reason for supplying gas to Ukraine, said Gazprom—unless a new contract not signed.
That contract would probably raise the price for gas by over 40%. And that’s the budget-version! Ukraine, teetering at the verge of financial ruin, is unable to pay current prices. Which put’s the safe passage of Russian gas to Europe in danger.
Gazprom is rattling its Kossack shashka: The company “promised to take all the possible measures to guarantee uninterrupted supplies to all the other European countries.”
What that means I outlined in a special report I posted on TFN a short while ago. The clock is ticking down… not just for Ukraine and Europe’s gas supply… but also for you to take positions in three stocks that are bound to profit from the dispute and its graver consequences.
Read the report before the gears start grinding…
Next Article: Who to blame when the countdown goes blank?
Be the first to leave a reply.
Your comments are welcome
Follow TFN via RSS or Twitter |
 |
 |
 |
Advertisement
Latest Headlines
- The Big Picture for Sinobiopharma, Inc. (SNBP)
- Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (BZH) and Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (HOV) up despite horrid housing news
- The FDA catalyst: 2010 moves in MannKind (MNKD), Roche Holding (RHHBY), Acorda Therapeutics (ACOR) show it still works!
- Steepest drop since Feb. 2009: Here we go again!
- Is the silver run over? Coeur d’Alene Mines (CDE), Silver Wheaton (SLW), Alto Group (ALTO), Hecla Mining (HL), Endeavour Silver (EXK) close down