Play fair, Mr Putin!

ENERGY is the lifeline for nations. Hence the current imbroglio over the disruption of Russian gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine over the past two weeks is a serious issue – particularly at a time when the entire Europe is in the midst of severe winter. Russia, one of the world’s largest gas producer, and Ukraine – an erstwhile satellite state of the now-dissolved USSR – are at loggerheads over payment and alleged gas siphoning off by Ukraine through whose territory the gigantic gas pipeline network runs. Europe’s dismay over its citizens and industry being put to unwarranted hardships for no fault of theirs is eminently understandable in view of the fact that they have already coughed up the requisite money towards gas.

Two weeks is too long a period to find a solution to this stalemate. The European Union imports a fifth of its gas from Russia via Ukraine and it is a genuine attempt on its part to wholeheartedly go in for environmental-friendly gas fuel route and thus assist climate control initiatives. But no country would like to be held hostage over energy supply by outsiders because such a step is counterproductive for suppliers as well as consumers. Besides the vicarious or sadistic pleasure of making others suffer, Russia has nothing to gain. On the contrary, its reputation as a reliable gas supplier would suffer which in the long run would affect its business. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s remarks in Berlin this week that the non-cooperation on the part of both Russia and Ukraine to find an amicable truce over the gas dispute would ultimately lead to a loss of credibility in Russia as a reliable business partner.

The EU-brokered peace plan between the disputing parties has not yielded the desired results so far. Eighteen countries in the EU conglomerate are losing out with factory closure due to lack of gas supply and probable social unrest owing to lack of communal heating. Russia’s belligerence to cow down Ukraine for whatever reasons is a different issue altogether. The call to allow gas to flow to Europe while they settle their payment dispute has fallen on deaf eyes.

Therefore, Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing Ukraine of taking Europe “hostage” sounds hollow. He cannot complain if German Chancellor were to speak up her mind during her meeting with him this week in Berlin. Meanwhile, the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev proposal for a summit on the gas crisis in Moscow has not gone down well with the EU leaders. Why Moscow and why not some place in Europe? is doing the rounds now. The location of the summit, if it is to be held, should not become a bugbear. Wherever they meet, the outcome is of paramount importance.

How far the fear in European capitals that Russia is trying to divide the EU bloc using the proposed summit is valid, nobody knows. But one thing is clear: Russia is testing everyone’s patience and such needling would not be in its own interest in the long run. The Russian suggestion for the takeover of Ukrainian pipeline network by international partners for smooth operations may not go down well with Ukraine. Resume gas supply to Europe without any further delay and sit across the table with Ukraine to sort out differences. This is the only solution that will satisfy all parties. Don’t prevaricate. Play fair, Mr Putin!

THIS EDITORIAL appeared in OMAN TRIBUNE, 16 January 2009