Ukraine crisis: Can Ukraine, Russia avoid another gas shutoff? (+video) - CSMonitor.com
Weekend clashes between Ukraine forces and pro-Russian militants extended into Monday as violence spread to the Black Sea port city of Odessa.
The street-level unrest parallels escalating diplomatic tensions between Kiev and Moscow over Ukraine's unpaid natural gas bills. After trilateral talks in Poland late last week failed to reach a compromise and Russia threatened to cut off gas supplies to Ukraine on May 31, European Union officials huddled Monday to figure out how to replace Russian gas with other sources.
With a firm deadline in place, a mounting Ukraine debt, and a staunch disagreement on basic contract terms, the scenario bears an unsettling resemblance to the countries' past gas disputes that ended in a midwinter shutoff of supply. The onset of spring makes any current gas crisis less urgent, and there's still hope Western financial and diplomatic support can avert another gas war between Russia and Ukraine. Still, both sides appear to be uninterested in compromise and are running short on patience.
"If we don't receive prepayment for June by May 31, then it is possible Gazprom will reduce gas supplies to Ukraine or provide it with the capacity it has paid for by May 31," Russia's Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Friday during joint talks in Warsaw between Russia, Ukraine, and the European Commission, as reported by Reuters.
Read More: http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2014/0505/Ukraine-crisis-Can-Ukraine-Russia-avoid-another-gas-shutoff-video
