Ukraine reportedly suspends gas purchase from RussiaNovember 12, 2013 - 09:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Ukraine reportedly suspended gas purchase from Russian energy giant Gazprom as of Saturday, Nov 9. According to RIA Novosti, the head of Russia’s Central Dispatching Department of the Fuel and Energy Complex said Ukraine bought less gas than usual earlier this month before stopping gas purchases completely. In the first days of November, Ukraine purchased about 9-10 billion cubic meters of Russian gas daily, about 10 times less than the average amount, Nikolai Orlov said. Alexei Grivach, who heads the Russia-based National Energy Security Foundation think tank, said the move “creates additional risks” for the transit of Russian gas to Europe during the winter season. Tensions between the countries are running high as Ukraine repeatedly rejected Russia’s overtures to join a Moscow-led customs union and is due to sign a series of free-trade and association deals with the European Union – a step Russia has called “suicidal.” Gazprom chief executive Alexei Miller said last week that Kyiv owed $882 million for supplies in August, raising fears of another politically tinged gas dispute. Related links: Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Russia accuses West of preparing invasion of CSTO countries NATO is preparing an invasion of the CSTO countries, the number of provocations in the air is growing, Sergei Shoigu has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. |