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Russia declares gas deal 'void'
Monday, January 12, 2009
Via Al Jazeera English
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's president, has said that a deal aimed at restoring gas supplies through Ukraine to Europe is "null and void".
Moscow said on Sunday that it objected to Kiev's handwritten alterations to the agreement allowing European, Russian and Ukrainian monitors to oversee gas supplies being piped through Ukraine.
"I think that those who have signed this document with reservations well understand the legal consequences of their actions," Medvedev told Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, in a televised discussion.
"As a result, we are obliged to consider the document signed as null and void for us. We will not apply it as long as this reserve is not overturned."
EU monitors had already begun arriving in Ukraine to oversee the flow of Europe-bound gas when the new dispute flared.
'Stipulations and additions'
The Reuters news agency reported that a declaration attached to the agreement by the Ukrainians stated that Kiev had not taken any transit gas and had no outstanding debts to Gazprom, the Russian supplier.
It also said Russia must supply extra "technical" gas to the Ukraine to maintain pressure in the pipeline system, despite the measure not being agreed with Moscow.
Russia cut off gas shipments that flowed through Ukraine more than a week ago after accusing Kiev of siphoning off supplies for its own use.
"I cannot call such stipulations and additions other than a mockery of common sense and violation of earlier achieved agreements," Medvedev said....(Click for remainder).
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's president, has said that a deal aimed at restoring gas supplies through Ukraine to Europe is "null and void".
Moscow said on Sunday that it objected to Kiev's handwritten alterations to the agreement allowing European, Russian and Ukrainian monitors to oversee gas supplies being piped through Ukraine.
"I think that those who have signed this document with reservations well understand the legal consequences of their actions," Medvedev told Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, in a televised discussion.
"As a result, we are obliged to consider the document signed as null and void for us. We will not apply it as long as this reserve is not overturned."
EU monitors had already begun arriving in Ukraine to oversee the flow of Europe-bound gas when the new dispute flared.
'Stipulations and additions'
The Reuters news agency reported that a declaration attached to the agreement by the Ukrainians stated that Kiev had not taken any transit gas and had no outstanding debts to Gazprom, the Russian supplier.
It also said Russia must supply extra "technical" gas to the Ukraine to maintain pressure in the pipeline system, despite the measure not being agreed with Moscow.
Russia cut off gas shipments that flowed through Ukraine more than a week ago after accusing Kiev of siphoning off supplies for its own use.
"I cannot call such stipulations and additions other than a mockery of common sense and violation of earlier achieved agreements," Medvedev said....(Click for remainder).
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