Gazprom bill puts strain on Ukraine finances

A $7bn bill that Russia’s Gazprom slapped on Ukraine for failing to import agreed amounts of gas in 2012 has piled pressure on Kiev’s finances ahead of crucial talks in late January 2013 with the International Monetary Fund on a new multi-billion dollar bailout.

This followed a landmark “unconventional” gas deal Ukraine signed with Royal Dutch Shell on the 24 January 2013 in Davos demonstrated just how determined the former Soviet republic was to break its dependence on imported Russian fuel.

ESO: Background information: Ukraine plans to break Gazprom's monopoly http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-plans-to-break-gazproms-monopoly/

ESO: Background information: Ukraine readies giant shale gas deal with Shell http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-readies-giant-shale-gas-deal-with-shell/

Wikipedia: Russia–Ukraine gas disputes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia%E2%80%93Ukraine_gas_disputes

BBC News, 24.01.13: Ukraine and Shell sign '$10bn' shale gas deal http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21191164

Reuters, 26.01.13: Russian $7 bln gas bill dampens Ukraine's glee at shale deal http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/01/26/ukraine-russia-gas-idUKL6N0AV0IN20130126

EurActiv, 29.01.13: EU keeps cool in fresh Russian-Ukrainian gas dispute http://www.euractiv.com/energy/commission-hopes-best-new-russia-news-517410

BBC News, 07.02.13: Ukraine rejects $7bn Gazprom bill for unused gas http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21369143

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