Energy Headlines

Speaking at today’s NSDC meeting President Victor Yushchenko criticized the Government for mistakes in organization of energy relations with Russia.

The criticism President Yushchenko explained with yesterday’s statement by President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev who said after meting with Gazprom Board of Directors’ Deputy Chairman Alexey Miller that Ukraine has a gas debt and stressed plans to increase price for gas in 2009 up to 400 dollars for a thousand of cubic meters.

“I would like to warn that this practice leads to only one thing – to colonization of Ukraine”, - sad Victor Yushchenko adding that the subject’s nature is changing from economic to political. “It is your personal responsibility that now Ukraine has a debt of around 2 billion dollars made by state monopoly controlled directly by the Government”, - said President Yushchenko.

President also reminded of recent statements by government officials who said that issues with Russia in gas trade were settled and said: “Demonstrate in five days term that you solved all issues with gas and begin with payment for the consumed gas … It is your personal problem. Don’t pull the nation into it”, - he said.

Source: Press office of President Victor Yushchenko