Brussels Devises Ukraine 'Plan B'

摘要

Moscow and Kiev will soon hold another round of trilateral talks brokered by Brussels designed to end a gas dispute that could threaten European supplies this winter. But since neither side appears willing to make the broad concessions required to satisfy the other, the crisis could escalate. Russian commentators believe Ukraine will siphon off transit gas this winter if the dispute isn't resolved by then. Most expect Gazprom to continue pumping gas to Europe regardless, but if the EU starts blaming Russia for any loss of supply and refuses to discuss the Russian gas giant's proposed South Stream Ukrainian bypass pipeline, "the situation may develop under the most unfavorable scenario, warns Alexei Grivach, deputy head of Russia's independent National Energy Security Fund think-tank (WGI Aug.20' 14).