Ukraine's Prime Minister Criticizes Pipeline Law

Victor Yanukovych at EU headquarters in Brussels in September 2006 (epa) February 7, 2007 -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych has criticized as a "political game" a new law banning any handover of Ukraine's gas pipelines.

Parliament passed the measure on February 6 after the pro-Western opposition accused Yanukovych of intending to hand over Ukraine's gas pipelines to Russia.


But Yanukovych said today his government had never discussed the existing gas-transport system with Russia -- only the possibility of building new pipelines.


(UNIAN, AP)

Ukraine And European Energy Security

Ukraine And European Energy Security

A worker inspects a gas facility outside of Kyiv (epa file photo)

MURKY CONNECTIONS. A year after the so-called gas war between Moscow and Kyiv, energy transhipments from Russia to Europe via Ukraine remain a concern. On December 1, RFE/RL's Washington office hosted a briefing featuring Tom Mayne, an energy researcher for the London-based Global Witness. Mayne discussed the lack of transparency in the energy sectors of Ukraine, Russia, and gas supplier Turkmenistan.


LISTEN

Listen to the entire briefing (about 60 minutes):
Real Audio Windows Media


RELATED ARTICLES

Neighbors Watch As Russia Moves Toward WTO Membership

Kyiv Announces Terms Of New Russian Gas Deal

Former U.S. Ambassador Says Kyiv Can Cope With Gas Price Rise


ARCHIVE

RFE/RL's English-language coverage of Ukraine, Russia, and Turkmenistan.