“Vladimir Putin brings the issue of gas relations between Moscow and Kiev to Europe,” explains Kommerzant, Russia's main political-financial newspaper. On April 10, the Russian president sent a letter to the heads of state of 18 countries - 13 of which belong to the European Union - which depend largely on the gas arriving from the Urals. Putin warned them of the risks of a suspension of supplies to the Old Continent due to the Ukrainian crisis. The letter should be viewed within the context of the gas war which sees Kiev and Moscow confronting each other over the supply of Russian methane, for which Ukraine does not accept the tariff of 480 dollars per thousand cubic metres.
Vladimir Putin judged that it would be completely "intolerable" if Ukraine did not honor its debt. Russia, added the president, has no intention of interrupting supplies in the future, but the possibility of asking for advance payment remains on the table. As for European customers, Putin was reassuring: Russia will honor its gas supply obligations.
Russia then urged its European partners to resolve Ukraine's economic problems "on a legal basis".
Putin's initiative is interpreted by the newspaper as a maneuver to strengthen the Russian position before the meeting of foreign ministers of Russia, the United States, the EU and Ukraine in Geneva on April 17th.
