"Izvestia": "IS ANOTHER GAS WAR LOOMING?"
Relations between Russia and Ukraine may sour after March 7
Addressing a meeting of the Government Presidium in Moscow yesterday, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warned that Russia could suspend supplies of our energy resources to Ukraine and Europe. He also promised another $500 million loan to Belarus, which is a more reliable partner. He also appointed his reliable Minister of Agriculture, Alexei Gordeyev, as Governor of the Voronezh Region.
As usual, Mr Putin began by addressing questions to the Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers. Turning to his deputy, Igor Sechin, he asked:
"Have you managed to find out anything about the events in Ukraine connected with our gas supplies?"
"Gazprom's attempts to obtain official information have failed," Mr Sechin shrugged.
"That is unfortunate, since we cannot but express our deep concern in connection with reports about the actions of Ukrainian security bodies with regard to Naftogaz, including attempts to arrest gas on Ukrainian territory," the Prime Minister said shaking his head.
Mr Putin said that Russia considered the goings-on in Kiev to be "strictly an internal Ukrainian matter". On March 7 another payment for the supplies of Russian gas to Ukraine is due. However, it is under a big question mark.
"If payments are not made as a result of the security actions and the arrest of some officials, energy supplies to consumers inside Ukraine and probably to our European partners will be suspended," the Prime Minister said sternly.
He noted that the events in Ukraine "once again raise the issue of the reliability of that country as an energy-transporting partner". The contracts signed earlier fully meet the interests of our countries and, Mr Putin said, one should proceed from these considerations, from the "profound strategic interests of our peoples and not considerations of expediency in fighting for control of the cash flows".
Russia sees Belarus as a more reliable partner. As proof, Mr Putin announced yesterday that another $500 million loan would be issued to Belarus.
After discussing the neighbours, the Prime Minister moved on to the main topic of the meeting, the approaching agricultural season. First, however, he thanked Alexei Gordeyev for his work in the Government over the last ten years, noting that the Ministry of Agriculture "has accomplished a great deal" under his stewardship, and wished him success in his new job as Governor of the Voronezh Region. Mr Gordeyev's colleagues agreed with the Prime Minister but did not give him a round of applause. Mr Gordeyev did not have a chance to report on agriculture for the last time as the keynote report on the topic was given by his deputy, Stanislav Aleinik.
Natalia Antipova
