Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Another Natural Gas Dispute Between Russia And Belarus. Supplies To Europe Will Not Be Impacted



Russia Deepens Belarus Gas Cuts -- Wall Street Journal

MOSCOW—Russia stepped up pressure on neighboring Belarus Tuesday, reducing natural gas supplies to the country by 30% as Minsk threatened to take gas destined for Europe from transit pipelines, Russia's state-run gas giant OAO Gazprom said.

From 6 a.m. GMT on Tuesday, Gazprom reduced supplies of Russian gas to Belarus by 30%, said Alexei Miller, chief executive of Gazprom. The company reduced gas supplies Monday by 15% and Mr. Miller said the gas cuts would be increased to 85% in the coming days if Minsk doesn't pay an unsettled gas bill of $192 million.

Read more ....

More News On The Russia - Belarus Natural Gas Dispute

Belarus 'to suspend Russian gas transit to Europe' -- BBC
Gazprom pledges full gas supplies to Europe regardless of Belarus cutoff (Update) -- RIA Novosti
Russia deepens gas supply cuts to Belarus -- AP
Russia cuts further gas supplies to Belarus: reports -- Market Watch
German Minister Doesn't Fear Gas Shortage From Russian Shut-off -- Wall Street Journal
Ukraine 'neutral' on Russia-Belarus gas conflict - Foreign Ministry -- RIA Novsoti
Kiev to take up gas slack from Belarus? -- UPI

My Comment: Belarus is poorly positioned to take on Russia on this dispute. They are hoping that Gazpron's European customers will pressure Russia to make some form of accomodation .... but with alternate routes now available in the Ukraine, this pressure tactic is not going to work. I expoect Belarus to knuckle down before the winter season .... or sooner.

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