The dispute between Ukraine and Gazprom has more bite than previous rows because of the economic times. Ukraine is in an economic fix, as is Gazprom. Regarding the latter, Gazprom’s troubles goes much far. It doesn’t produce much of the gas it ships to Europe, but markets gas it buys mostly from the Central Asian state of Turkmenistan. In order to obtain long-term rights to that gas, and not have it siphoned off by a covetous West, Gazprom has agreed to pay the Turkmenistan about $340 per 1,000 cubic meters.

Given market prices, that means that Gazprom might be forced to sell to Europe this year at a loss, unless it unilaterally cuts the price it pays to the Turkmen, who in that case could respond by withholding supplies.
“Gazprom is in a tough spot,” says Kenneth Medlock, a natural gas expert at Rice University’s James A Baker Institute for Public Policy. “If Gazprom loses the Turkmen supplies”, Medlock said, “they are going to have trouble meeting their contractual commitments to Europe”.

 Sursa: Steve LeVine - The Oil and Glory via RFERL

Asta ca sa vedeti ca nimic nu-i ceea ce pare la prima vedere. Multi vad razboiul gazului ca pe o modalitate de santaj economic prin care Rusia sa obtina concesii si control asupra Europei. Dar daca adevarul ar fi altul? Mult mai simplu? Daca Rusia are de îndeplinit obligatii fata de tarile Europei si de fapt Ucraina da într-adevar cu jula prin gazul rusesc? Prin prisma articolului lui Steve LeVine, se pare ca Rusia cam este putin cu cutitul la os si atunci este explicabila atitudinea lor fata de Ucraina si solicitarea plasarii de observatori europeni la granita dintre Rusia si Ucraina care sa supravegheze livrarea gazului. De ce ar face asta, daca ei ar vrea de fapt sa stranga de gât Europa?

I love politics because is such a whore!