reports indicate that Ukraine has siphoned off this an mount of gas from the pipeline destined for Europe. Ukraine has become the Gas Pirates of the black Sea. Its theft of gas does nothing to instill confidence in Ukraine\'s economy. How would Europe feel if it had to pay for 100% of the gas that crosses Russia\\\'s borders only to discover that the Kyivrus pirates have stolen gas in transit. What message does this send to the world, let alone Ukrainian citizens. State sanctioned theft can not be supported or condoned.

In order to transport gas, one needs gas to power natural gas compressors to push the remaining gas to its destination. Without using gas, Ukraine cannot transport it. Current transit contract has been poorly negotiated in the past and is economically unsustainable - if Ukraine doesn\'t take part of gas supplied by Russia and uses it, it would be forced to use its own gas. In current circumstances this would be equivalent of selling gas to Russia for $176/thnds cu m and buying it at $450/thnds cu m. Ukraine may or may not be fulfilling its contractual obligations, but the transit contract is not sustainable if Russia wants to increase gas price charged to Ukraine.

Most of the so called transit gas is required to charge the system and build up pressure. Gas does not flow like a river. It needs high points of pressure to allow the gas to flow. Ukraine has the right to argue for renegotiation of its transit fees. It could do so as a percentage of the gas. Alternatively Ukraine could privatize the gas transport system and just receive tax and royalties from the transactions A privatized gas transportation company would be a joining shareholding of all stakeholders European, Ukrainian and Russian

It\'s too bad that you are wasting your time answering the fellow above who rants and raves about \"Pirates\". I think he\'s seen too many Johnny Depp movies. He most certainly is not interested in logical clarification. All he wants to do is hurl denunciations upon Ukraine. Let him. Those kind of enemies discredit themselves.