Ukraine mulls blocking Russian oil and gas to Europe

[dipsydoodle]

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]

1. How charming. nt

[dipsydoodle]

2. That's cos he's a bellend.

.

[KoKo]

6. I learned something new......

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]

9. Yes well he should enjoy it while he can...

[The Magistrate]

3. I Have Long Considered This One Of Their Major Cards, Sir

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]

4. I admit that his position requires some form of extortion to be applied.

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]

5. I doubt the EU will approve

[The Magistrate]

7. Not Their Hand On The Tap, Sir

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]

8. Their hand of funds though.

[The Magistrate]

10. And Who Will Blink First, Sir?

"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]

11. Well it wont be northern europe

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]

13. It Would Be Noticed, Sir

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]

14. This will make EU cut off this CIA exercise

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]

17. When in doubt, annoy all sides

Quite a strategy.

[The Magistrate]

18. When In The Middle, Sir

One may have leverage to either side.

[BillZBubb]

12. Not a good idea.

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]

15. It will be a legitimate reason for Russia to

send military into Ukraine to "protect the pipelines."

We use military to protect straights of Hormuz for economic reasons - so there is precedence.

[ballyhoo]

16. Yep, and that is what he'll do.

[BillZBubb]

19. No doubt Putin is waiting for just such an excuse.