Russia: Providers of Comfort

“We were prepared to come to terms with the Ukrainian people and help maintain comfortable conditions for them during the winter, the most crucial season from the point of view of energy supplies. Our proposals were turned down.”

Sergei V. Kupriyanov, Gazprom spokesman.

“Such an abrupt step creates insecurity in the energy sector in the region and raises serious questions about the use of energy to exert political pressure. As we have told both Russia and Ukraine, we support a move toward market pricing for energy, but believe that such a change should be introduced over time rather than suddenly and unilaterally.”

U.S. Department of State statement.

Andrew E. Kramer, “Russia Cuts Off Gas to Ukraine in Cost Dispute,” New York Times, 1/02/06.