Experts believe that Russia is not interested in a new "gas war" with Ukraine, but do not rule out speculations on this subject.
“Gas wars usually occur at the initiative of Russia, but there should be a serious reason for this,” Director of the Penta Center for Applied Political Studies Volodymyr Fesenko said at a press conference on Wednesday.
He said that there should be grounds to start a gas war, i.e. to block gas supplies to Ukraine.
“If we remember the experience of past wars, there were grounds for them. An agreement was not signed, there were conflict situations related to the interpretation of agreements, or claims against Ukraine regarding its failure to comply with the terms of agreements,” Fesenko said.
The expert noted that the parties could resolve any issues at an arbitration court in Stockholm.
“I don’t expect a new gas war. There could most likely be an information war… the escalation of the political situation, or information pressure,” Fesenko said.
An independent expert on energy issues, Oleksandr Narbut, said that Russia was currently not interested in creating any obstacles to the free movement of natural gas to Europe.
“As for speculations, these speculations exist, and Ukraine, in my opinion, should be prepared for them,” he said.
