The problem of Russian gas deliveries towards the Western Europe may be risen once again, in one of the least happy moments for Ukraine - during the debates within the NATO summit in Bucharest, when the accession to the Alliance of the former Soviet state is discussed. The natural gas may thus gain a supplementary political aspect.
Ukrainian energy expert Aleksandr Narbut credits the hypothesis, reminding a recent statement made by Prime Minister Iulia Timoshenko, who said that all problems related to natural gas are solved. In fact, says Narbut, nothing was really solved. The expert reminds that the agreement that supposedly solved all problems includes an article according to which the document will come into force if and only when a letter from Naftogaz Ukraini is addressed to Gazprom. Such a letter was not written yet, because Prime Minister Timoshenko raised 6 observations concerning the principles of the agreement, all of them being noted in a governmental decision.
Even more, the gas deliveries to Ukraine are still not completely legal. Matters of principle regarding the long term strategy between Ukraine and Moscow are not solved yet, not was the natural gas and general energy strategy put up. The structural reforms in energy and the possibility to begin the privatization in the area are also problems that still need solving.
In the end, Narbut shows that Ukraine has not even put up negotiation scenarios, did not formulate any position regarding the natural gas price calculation or for the price for natural gas transit and storage on Ukrainian ground. The problem of Russian gas deliveries towards the Western Europe may be risen once again, in one of the least happy moments for Ukraine - during the debates within the NATO summit in Bucharest, when the accession to the Alliance of the former Soviet state is discussed. The natu
