Oxford University Research Archive (ORA) (University of Oxford) · 2009 · 179 citations · 0 references
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Gas DisputeUkrainian EconomyRussian Gas SupplyInternational RelationsRussian GasInternational LawRusso-ukrainian Gas Dispute
The January 2009 gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine, the most serious of its kind, stemmed from a failure to agree on a price for Russian gas and a transit tariff before existing contracts expired on 31 December 2008. Russian gas exports to Ukraine were halted on 1 January, with supplies to 16 EU member states and Moldova sharply reduced on 6 January and fully cut by 7 January; deliveries resumed on 20 January after new contracts, but the Balkan states suffered a humanitarian emergency and Hungary and Slovakia faced significant economic hardship.
The gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine in January 2009 was by far the most serious of its kind. The two sides failed to agree a price for Russian gas supply to Ukraine and a tariff for the transit of Russian gas to Europe before previous agreements expired on 31 December 2008. Russian exports to Ukraine were cut off on 1 January. Exports to 16 EU member states and Moldova were drastically reduced on 6 January and cut completely from 7 January. Deliveries to both Ukraine and other European countries restarted on 20 January following the signing of two new ten year contracts. The most seriously affected countries in the Balkans experienced a humanitarian emergency, with parts of the populations unable to heat their homes. Significant economic problems, but not of a humanitarian kind, were also caused in Hungary and Slovakia.