Ukraine’s Gas Transmission System Operator (GTSOU) has accepted a request from Gazprom for Monday to transport 40.1 million cubic meters of gas through the country, virtually unchanged from 40.4 mcm on Sunday, data from GTSOU show. Capacity was requested only through one of two entry points into Ukraine’s Gas Transmission System, the Sudzha metering station. A request was not accepted through the Sokhranivka metering station.
“Gazprom is supplying Russian gas for transit through the territory of Ukraine at the volume confirmed by the Ukraine side via the Sudzha metering station at 40.1 million cubic meters on June 6, with no booking via the Sokhranivka metering station ” Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov told reporters.
GTSOU has declared a force majeure in regard to accepting gas for transit through Sokhranivka, citing the fact that it cannot control the Novopskov compressor station.
Gazprom believes there are no grounds for a force majeure or obstacles to continuing to operations as usual. Ukrainian specialists worked smoothly at the Sokhranivka and Novopskov stations all this time and continue to do so; transit through Sokhranivka was ensured in full, and there were and are no complaints from counterparties, the Russian gas giant has said.
The European Union intends to adapt its trade policy to the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, focusing on relations with America, but also taking into account the importance of engagement with China.
“Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine is the main, but not the only, factor causing this recalibration,” European Commission (EC) Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said at a press conference on Friday following a meeting of EU trade ministers.
He noted that the European Union continues to provide the necessary support to Ukraine, “making every effort to further isolate Russia.”
He believes that the situation in Ukraine has set a new goal – focusing on transatlantic relations. “And we have made significant strides forward in recent months,” Dombrovskis said, referring to the results of the recent meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC).
According to him, the main conclusion of the TTC was that the key is to remove trade barriers and prevent the emergence of new ones.
“We will also be looking at building more sustainable supply chains for semiconductors. The same goes for critical raw materials, where we are exploring the so-called “friend-shoring” concept,” the European official said.
Among other examples, he named the joint work with the Americans on the standard of chargers for electric vehicles.
Prospects for trade and investment relations between the EU and China, Dombrovskis said, should be viewed against the backdrop of both geopolitical shifts and new challenges to the global economic environment.
“In general, it is clear that the relationship between the EU and China is becoming more complex. But there was also a clear view that engagement with China is important,” he said.
Dombrovskis said the EU would be the strongest supporter of WTO reform. Its trade agreements with external partners should help diversify supply sources and create export opportunities.
“Accordingly, we must seek (within the EU) a new consensus on how to advance our bilateral partnership: it is clear business as usual is not an option,” he said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain on the platinum anniversary of her reign.
“Hearty congratulations on the platinum anniversary of the reign of Queen of Great Britain Her Majesty Elizabeth II. I am grateful to Britain for supporting Ukraine in the struggle for our freedom and independence. I wish Her Majesty well-being, and peace and prosperity to the people of Britain,” Zelensky tweeted on Sunday.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced the need to create a “European preparatory space” (Europäischen Vorbereitungsraum), staying in which will allow Ukraine and Moldova to come closer to EU standards.
According to him, it should be “an intermediate step between cooperation and full accession to the EU.”
“We are united by one goal, we all want a strong, independent and economically successful Ukraine. Currently, Ukraine is fighting for its political and territorial survival. All our efforts are primarily aimed at ending Russia’s aggressive war. At such a stage, rapid full accession to the European Union cannot be a topical issue anyway,” Nehammer said in an interview with Kronen Zeitung.
According to him, it is necessary to “remove emotions from the current debate and apply the same standards that are also used in relation to other applicants from the Western Balkans.”
“In my opinion, the immediate full accession of Ukraine is unrealistic,” the Chancellor said.
Nehammer said he supported French President Emmanuel Macron’s interesting idea of creating a “European Political Community”. “Discussions are largely about either – or. Little attention has been paid to practical options that ensure close ties with the EU in many areas and strengthen the Ukrainian economy. But this is exactly what is needed now,” the Chancellor said.
According to the newspaper, according to the Federal Chancellery, close and gradual cooperation between the EU and Ukraine is possible in various fields, similar to what is envisaged by the French proposals. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and European Minister Caroline Edtstadler have already addressed the EU partners with these proposals.
The national football team of Ukraine lost to the Wales team 1:0 and failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, which will be held in Qatar in November-December.
The Wales team scored the only goal at the Cardiff City stadium in the 34th minute, when Andriy Yarmolenko cut the ball in his own net after a free kick by Garrit Bale.
The European Union has developed a plan to phase out Russian gas, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton said on the Europe 1/CNews TV channel, ZN.ua reports.
“We import 155 billion cubic meters a year from Russia. We will have to get rid of Russian gas… Putin is using gas to divide us, he has done everything for many years to divide Europe,” Breton said.
In 2021, about 45% of EU natural gas imports came from Russia.
According to the European Commissioner, it is necessary to quickly abandon the import of Russian gas. In particular, the EU plans to increase purchases of liquefied natural gas from the US and Qatar, as well as expand the capacity of green energy.
“We developed a plan with my teams,” Breton said.
The new plan will include “50 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas imports from the US or Qatar, an additional 10 billion from existing pipelines, acceleration of offshore wind turbines and photovoltaic panels totaling 25 billion cubic meters,” he said. Restarting coal-fired power plants is also an option under consideration.
