Quote: Ratification by the Ukrainian parliament of a law on Ukraine’s entry into the WTO means that in one month the country will be a full member of the World Trade Organization. How will this affect Ukraine’s gas relations with Russia?
Russian experts do not expect Ukraine’s WTO entry to have any significant impact on its ties with Russia in terms of fuel supplies. The WTO imposes no restrictions on the transportation of gas, and Ukraine’s entry should not lead to any changes for Russian oil and gas partners, believes Timur Khairullin, an analyst with Antanta Capital.
“Indeed, there is a small difference in gas transportation fees, but Ukraine could have easily raised them before joining the WTO; entry into this organization provides no additional arguments for Ukraine,” he noted.
Mikhail Zak, at Veles Capital, agrees. Moreover, he suggested that in future, it would be more difficult for Ukraine to maneuver in terms of gas transit: following its entry into the WTO it would have to bring its gas prices as close to European consumer prices as possible.
“Changes in transit terms are unlikely. All parties are in more or less equal conditions, but each has its trump card. Ukraine is unlikely to dictate terms. Russia can survive for a while without gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine, but Ukraine cannot survive without Russian gas,” Zak stressed.
Full article: http://top.rbc.ru/english/index.shtml?/news/english/2008/04/11/11134135_bod.shtml
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