Ukraine wants to know whether Russia intends to further use its gas transport system

That's right without the gas the gas transit system is worthless. So why not sell it to Gazprom for billions. That would still leave the Ukrainian government free to charge an additional transit fee. All that would be lost is the ability to syphon of gas without paying for it. But if your anti Russian prejudice prevents you from making the rational choice you can wait till the pipes rust then eat them. Ho Ho HO stupidity brings its own reward. As for the EU rescue route you should keep up with the financial pages. Currently the BRIC's are considering plans to bankroll EU debt. East is East and West is West. And the debtors are all in the West. Cut off the gas and the EU will repudiate the Ukrainian governments actions. Don't cut it off and its higher prices forever or the gas still going elsewhere.

It does not need to be sold. It could be leased out or Ukraine could negoaite to buy gas from Russia or other states and then onsell the gas to the EU.

Europe will take there gas/oil from a new big player on the market Norway

Ukraine is fucked , pity for all you normal people in the Ukraine,

Funny to see that Russia also have enough from all this,

Yanu and his group play bluff poker , near future will show how this all ends .

Good luck to all you involve )))

The greatest loser is russia, of course, those retarded russian baboons don't realise that gas and oil is EVERYWHERE - in Poland, France, Ukraine, UK and Germany. The exploitation, of course, will be so much cheaper that investing in Siberia that rather sooner than later will be returned to its rightful owner China. Russia will go back in line, will keep its ugly head down and won't be speaking unless spoken to...It is as simple as that..

"Europe will take there gas/oil from a new big player on the market Norway"

Can't, the Norway declared 182 BILLION losses in gas delivery because their gas deposits are getting depleted faster than expected.

On the other hand the US geological survey states that MAJORITY yet undiscovered oil and gas is located in the Russia controlled territory of the Antarctic.

"Researchers estimate that the Arctic holds about about 83 billion barrels of undiscovered oil, but say that’s not enough to challenge the dominance of the oil-rich Persian Gulf states. Meanwhile, the researchers say that the Arctic’s estimated 1,550 trillion cubic feet of natural gas is concentrated in marine territory claimed by Russia, ensuring that Russia will continue to be the world’s largest producer of gas. “These findings suggest that in the future the … pre-eminence of Russian strategic control of gas resources in particular is likely to be accentuated and extended,” said Donald L. Gautier, lead author of the study [AP]."

Yanukonvicts mafia in panic mode! They will loose their easy money if Russian gas stops following through Ukraine.Now, they're trying to work out where to steal from next!

Putin has already answered this question.

Ukraine is bound by the legal deal that was forged between he and Yulia Tymoshenko, who the thug mechanic now wants to commit to prison on any trumped-up charge that the dictator can drum up. Putin expects him to honor that deal and the continued use of ports for the Black Sea Fleet, as agreed.

When Putin next deals with him, when Putin is President after the Spring, that will become very clear to the thug.

Iv'e just read more of what was said. Unbelievably the aim seems to be to get the EU to put pressure on Russia by threatening to close down the gas transit network. Chances of success, zero. Result a bluff that both Russia and the EU will call. And if it isn't a bluff a huge gas crisis that results in the construction of more bypass routes.The long run value of the Ukrainian gas transit system ,under the current president, is zero. What is the explanation of such irrational behaviour?

"What is the explanation of such irrational behaviour?"

That's easy. Yanukovych is intellectually challenged! His every movement and statement is frought with self inflicted stupidity!

He puts out a 'book'....but plagerizes vast tracts of it. Now is caught. But does he have the intelligence to fess up? No.

He will squirm and fabricate and justify....all the while making an ass of himself...and the country.

The humour is that no one expected this twice convicted felon who calls himself 'proFFessor' to try and write a book...especially when no one was certain he knew how to sign his name.