Issue 5: April 2011

A Snapshot Of Key Developments In The External Relations Of The Russian Gas Sector

On April 25 of this year Gazprom head, Alexei Miller, predicted that the price of gas sold to European gas consumers would increase to $500 per 1,000 cubic metres by the end of 2011. This suggests a price hike of almost 40 percent as currently the average European gas price is $350 per 1,000 cubic metres. While Gazprom officials do make public references to limitations to increases in the gas price, most such comments tend to refer to Russian domestic gas prices. READ MORE

• May 1, 2011

Russian security forces on Friday killed 10 militants in a special operation in its violence-torn Northern Caucasus region, reports said.

• April 30, 2011

Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin has criticised Japan for its "slow" reaction to its nuclear disaster and for building nuclear reactors in earthquake-prone zones.

• April 30, 2011

Ukraine will be able to get liquefied gas from Azerbaijan in three years.

• April 30, 2011

Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Viktor Yanukovich of Ukraine have given a joint press conference, the official website of the Azerbaijani President reported.

• April 29, 2011

Issue 4: March 2011

A Snapshot Of Key Developments In The External Relations Of The Russian Gas Sector

The dispute between the Lithuanian Government and Gazprom continues. As we wrote in the preceding issue of the Gazprom Monitor, the dispute flared up after the Russian monopoly refused to give Vilnius the same gas price discount that it grants to the other Baltic States. Consequently, the Lithuanian side is forced to pay high gas prices. In response, Vilnius is trying to use the implementation of the Third Energy Package, in relation to the gas transport system of the country, as a lever of pressure against Gazprom. In the end this may bring about both a rupture in the agreement on the privatisation of Lietuvos dujos (37 percent of which belongs to Gazprom) and the separation of control over gas transmission pipelines from companies which own them. READ MORE

• April 29, 2011

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, speaking at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine, called yesterday for new world rules to be drawn up on safety at nuclear plants.

• April 27, 2011

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Monday he might choose a job as the "angel" of high-tech business when he leaves office, in a clear hint that he may not run for re-election.

• April 26, 2011