Tymoshenko and Yushchenko are involved in criminal gas-supply scheme originated by Kuchma, Oleh Soskin claims

“We can see that the criminal scheme is in place. It was launched by Kuchma and its main players are still here: Tymoshenko and Yushchenko, the three are birds of a feather. That is why no one can say definitely if there is a debt for gas. One thing is clear – one of theparties didn’t pay Russia for gas. We must find out whether it is the RosUkrEnergo or Naftohaz Ukrayiny or some new company created by Yulia Tymoshenko on the gas market,” Oleh Soskin noted.

The fuel policy of the Ukrainian cabinet is sloppy, inefficient, anti-Ukrainian and absurd, the expert claims. Ukraine’s pipelines must be brought under control. To ensure reliable control, the pipelines should be equipped with gas meters at both sides of the Ukrainian border according to EU standards – to make it possible to control the gas flow from Russia to Europe.

The cabinet must also install meters in every home in Ukraine and at companies as well as modernize outdated gas-pumping stations which consume billions of cubic meters of gas, Soskin continued.

“Europe should pay Ukraine, not Russia, for the transit of gas via Ukraine. Ukraine should have gas supply contracts with European countries instead of negotiating the issue with Russia. We have to stop the huge theft of gas in Ukraine amounting to billions of cubic meters and the contraband of gas to Europe via Hungary,” the expert said.

Oleh Soskin believes Ukraine will pay $300 for 1,000 cu.m. of gas next year. That is why everything must be done to stop the devaluation of the hryvnia. If the national currency is strengthened, Ukraine will pay less in hryvnias – even if the price of gas goes up.

To oppose Russia’s gas blackmail, Ukraine must put in order domestic gas production to know extraction volumes and buyers. Oleh Soskin said Ukraine extracts enough cheap domestic gas to heat the homes of Ukrainians and budget-supported organizations.