Last modification: 10/03/08
 -  Belarus - Gazprom - Georgia - Russia
 
Russian power play
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Gazprom, Russia’s state-run gas monopoly, plays a key role in Russia’s international relations. A FRANCE 24 special report.
Natural gas has been a key element behind Russia’s economic and political relations with Europe. Russian gas monopoly Gazprom provides a quarter of Europe’s gas, a major part of which transits through ex-Soviet countries like Belarus and Ukraine. The Kremlin has repeatedly flexed its diplomatic muscle by cutting off Ukranian gas supplies. In March 2008, former Gazprom CEO Dmitry Medvedev was elected as Russia’s new President. Analysts predict that the new Russian government will continue to use Gazprom as a diplomatic tool in international politics.

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    Gazprom to restore gas supplies to Ukraine
    Ukraine and Russia reached an agreement to lift restrictions on gas deliveries to Ukraine, thereby ending a tense standoff that threatened to put Europe's energy security at risk. (Story: C. Norris-Trent)
  • RUSSIA - UKRAINE
    Russia cuts Ukraine gas supplies by further 25%
    Russia reduced gas supplies to Ukraine by an additional 25% in an ongoing debt dispute, according to a spokesman for gas company Gazprom. This follows an initial 25% cut on Monday. (Story: K. Williams)
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    Putin holds on to Gazprom
    Putin may be giving up his role as Russian president, but his influence is set to continue undiminished. His designated successor is his own protégé Dmitry Medvedev, from whom Putin could take over as head of energy giant Gazprom.
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    The stakes of the gas crisis
    The ongoing gas crisis pitting Russia against the Ukraine is a match for 'control of the Ukrainian pipeline network,' explains La Croix’s world affairs deputy editor Alain Guillemoles.

Related links

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    Gazprom to restore gas supplies to Ukraine
    Ukraine and Russia reached an agreement to lift restrictions on gas deliveries to Ukraine, thereby ending a tense standoff that threatened to put Europe's energy security at risk. (Story: C. Norris-Trent)
  • RUSSIA - UKRAINE
    Gazprom cuts gas to Ukraine by 25%
    Russia's Gazprom reduced supplies to Ukraine by a quarter on Monday but said its exports to the Europe Union would not be affected. Ukraine, meanwhile, said the cut was not significant and would have no impact on consumers in Ukraine.
  • RUSSIA
    Putin holds on to Gazprom
    Putin may be giving up his role as Russian president, but his influence is set to continue undiminished. His designated successor is his own protégé Dmitry Medvedev, from whom Putin could take over as head of energy giant Gazprom.
  • RUSSIA - UKRAINE
    Ukraine announces deal with Gazprom over debt
    Russian gas supplier Gazprom and the Ukrainian government have reached an agreement over outstanding debts, lifting the threat of supply cuts, Ukraine's PM Yulia Tymoshenko (photo) said on Thursday.
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    Gazprom threatens Ukraine gas supply
    Russia's gas export monopoly Gazprom threatened on Thursday to halt gas supplies to Ukraine. Previous pricing disputes have led to cuts in gas supplies to Europe.
  • UKRAINE - RUSSIA
    Gazprom to cut Ukraine gas supplies by 25%
    Russian gas giant Gazprom said on Friday it would cut supplies to its former Soviet neighbour the Ukraine by a quarter as of Monday, in the latest twist to a long-running dispute over debt payments.
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    Russian villages forgotten by development
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    Putin: Russia could target Ukraine if threatened
    Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Moscow could target its missiles at neighbouring Ukraine if it threatened Russia's national security by hosting a NATO base.
  • RUSSIA - UKRAINE
    Gazprom threatens Ukraine gas supply
    Russia's gas export monopoly Gazprom threatened on Thursday to halt gas supplies to Ukraine. Previous pricing disputes have led to cuts in gas supplies to Europe.
  • RUSSIA - UKRAINE
    Russia and Ukraine reach gas deal
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    After a three-day deadlock, Russia and Belarus have found a solution to the row which had disrupted oil supplies to Europe.
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