Gazprom halts supplies to Ukraine

The head of Russian gas company Gazprom announced on 25 November 2015 that Russia had halted gas supplies to Ukraine due to non-payment.

The European Union had helped Ukraine conclude a winter gas supply deal with Russia on 25 September. On that occasion, European Commission Vice-President for Energy Maroš Šefčovič said it would continue arranging for EU and international financing of Ukraine's winter gas purchases.

Ukraine's government later stated it had decided to stop buying gas from Russia, replacing it with gas bought from Europe. At the same time, it was announced that the Ukrainian airspace was now closed to any Russian airplane.

Ukraine-Russia relations deteriorated after Crimea was left without electricity supplies from after pylons carrying power lines to the Russia-annexed peninsula were blown up on the night to 22 November.

ESO: Background information: EU-Ukraine-Russia talks agree on the terms of a binding protocol to secure gas supplies for the coming winter http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-eu-ukraine-russia-talks-agree-on-the-terms-of-a-binding-protocol-to-secure-gas-supplies-for-the-coming-winter/

The Guardian, 25.11.15: Ukraine closes its airspace to Russia as gas supply dispute erupts http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/25/ukraine-closes-its-airspace-to-russia-in-latest-escalation

BBC News, 25.11.15: Ukraine closes airspace to all Russian planes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34920207

The Wall Street Journal, 25.11.15: Russia-Ukraine Feuding Worsens With Flight, Gas Stoppages http://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-ukraine-feuding-worsens-with-flight-gas-stoppages-1448457006

Euronews, 25.11.15: Ukraine and Russia clash again over gas pricing http://www.euronews.com/2015/11/25/ukraine-and-russia-clash-again-over-gas-pricing/

Ukraine Today, 25.11.15: Ukraine guarantees Russian gas supplies to Europe after Gazprom warnings http://uatoday.tv/news/ukraine-stops-buying-russian-gas-gazprom-541335.html

The Moscow Times, 25.11.15: Ukraine to Buy Gas From Europe, Not Russian Gas Giant Gazprom http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/ukraine-to-buy-gas-from-europe-not-russian-gas-giant-gazprom/550610.html

Washington Post, 25.11.15: Russia cuts gas flow, Ukraine closes airspace as trade war expands https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-cuts-gas-and-ukraine-closes-airspace-as-trade-war-expands/2015/11/25/3b69eea1-d2bc-4889-a2ef-8e5c3ce08a90_story.html

Sputnik International, 26.11.15: Ukraine Has Better Options to Buy Gas From Europe – Naftogaz Head http://sptnkne.ws/ah2Z

ESO: Background information: Ukraine to ban flights by Russian airlines in new wave of sanctions http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-to-ban-flights-by-russian-airlines-in-new-wave-of-sanctions/

Naftogaz: Press Release, 25.11.15: Naftogaz continues transmitting Russian gas to the EU; further purchases for Ukraine depend on demand http://www.naftogaz.com/www/3/nakweben.nsf/0/0C26ED7ED60D78C5C2257F08003CD562?OpenDocument&year=2015&month=11&nt=News&

---