Delay of gas independence: the Ukraine to have to communicate with Gazprom for 1.5 years more

Yesterday, it became known that the gas dispute between Russia and the Ukraine in Stockholm will be settled not earlier that in spring of 2016. This means that the parties can’t avoid another year and a half of difficult negotiations in the manual mode: this winter showed that with the best will in the world Kiev can’t do without Russian gas. The only chance for the Ukraine is a sharp change in the position of Slovakia on the virtual reverse. Until now, the country has remained loyal to contracts with Gazprom, but his plans for the complete abandonment of transit through the Ukraine, and that is through Slovakia too, can make Bratislava turn toward Kiev.

Stockholm arbitration will begin the hearings on counter-claims of Gazprom and Naftogaz Ukrainy not earlier than in February - March 2016, the yesterday published report of the Russian monopoly under IAS for the third quarter of 2014 says. Thus, contrary to the expectations of Kiev and the EU, the arbitration won’t solve the dispute on gas prices until the next heating season.