Putin says Russia to honor gas deals with Europe
- 10 years ago
Tensions mix with rain in eastern Ukraine Friday as world powers continue to debate amid the biggest East-West crisis since the Cold War.
Energy is at part of the core of the debate with Russian President Vladimir Putin promising not to turn off the gas to Ukraine or Western Europe.
He says Ukraine needs to pay its bills and will likely have to pay up front in the future.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:
"On April 7 of this year, there was a deadline to pay for gas for March. Of over 500 million dollars, 540 million, I think, not a single dollar has been paid, not a single rouble, nothing at all, zero. The situation is absolutely intolerable."
As for Europe he says it is up to Ukraine.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:
"We certainly guarantee fulfillment of all our obligations to our European consumers. The question is not about us. The question is about providing transit across Ukrai
Energy is at part of the core of the debate with Russian President Vladimir Putin promising not to turn off the gas to Ukraine or Western Europe.
He says Ukraine needs to pay its bills and will likely have to pay up front in the future.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:
"On April 7 of this year, there was a deadline to pay for gas for March. Of over 500 million dollars, 540 million, I think, not a single dollar has been paid, not a single rouble, nothing at all, zero. The situation is absolutely intolerable."
As for Europe he says it is up to Ukraine.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:
"We certainly guarantee fulfillment of all our obligations to our European consumers. The question is not about us. The question is about providing transit across Ukrai