Breakthrough: $4.6bn dollar deal secures gas for Ukraine and EU

The European Commission announced a breakthrough in the early hours of the 31 October 2014 after seven rounds of gas negotiations moderated by Günther H. Oettinger, Vice-President of the European Commission. A $4.6bn package, agreed by Russia and Ukraine, would secure gas for Ukraine - and ultimately also for Europe for the winter 2014-5 period.

The European Commission hoped that the agreement would contribute to 'de-escalation' of the military conflict and tension between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukrainian state energy firm Naftogaz said on 4 November it had transferred $1.45 billion (€1.15 billion) to Russia's Gazprom, the first tranche of debt repayment required by the agreement.

BBC News, 31.10.14: Russia and Ukraine agree gas supply deal http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29842505

ESO: Background information: Moscow: Ukraine expects the West to pay its $3.1 billion gas bill http://www.europeansources.info/record/moscow-ukraine-expects-the-west-to-pay-its-3-1-billion-gas-bill/

ESO: Background information: Europe needs gas and Russia needs cash, so expect an energy-fuelled reconciliation http://www.europeansources.info/record/europe-needs-gas-and-russia-needs-cash-so-expect-an-energy-fuelled-reconciliation/

RIA Novosti, 31.10.14: Ukraine to Pay off $1.45 Bln in Russian Gas Debt Immediately: Oettinger http://en.ria.ru/russia/20141031/194865885/Ukraine-to-Pay-off-145-Bln-in-Russian-Gas-Debt-Immediately.html

Deutsche Welle, 30.10.14: EU-brokered Russia-Ukraine gas talks succeed http://dw.de/p/1DelO

EurActiv, 31.10.14: EU unblocks ‘unprecedented levels’ of cash to secure gas for Ukraine http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/eu-unblocks-unprecedented-levels-cash-secure-gas-ukraine-309653

ESO: Background information: Why this winter will bring a new gas crisis in Ukraine (and Europe) http://www.europeansources.info/record/why-this-winter-will-bring-a-new-gas-crisis-in-ukraine-and-europe/

EUObserver, 31.10.14: 'No one to stay cold', as Russia and Ukraine clinch winter gas deal http://euobserver.com/foreign/126330

European Commission: RAPID: SPEECH/14/732: Remarks by President Barroso following the signing ceremony on the gas agreements between Ukraine and Russia http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-732_en.htm

Euronews, 31.10.14: Winter arrives in Ukraine as gas dispute with Russia sparks heating worries http://www.euronews.com/2014/10/31/winter-arrives-in-ukraine-as-gas-dispute-with-russia-sparks-heating-worries/

France24, 31.10.14: Russia, EU and Ukraine agree ‘breakthrough’ gas deal http://www.france24.com/en/20141031-russia-eu-ukraine-agree-breakthrough-gas-deal/

The Guardian, 30.10.14: Russian gas set to flow to Ukraine again after new supply deal agreed http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/30/ukraine-russia-eu-gas-supply-deal-conflict-tensions

The New York Times, 30.10.14: Ukraine and Russia Reach Accord on Natural Gas Deliveries http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/31/business/international/ukraine-and-russia-reach-deal-on-natural-gas-supplies.html

EurActiv, 05.11.14: Ukraine pays Gazprom first tranche of gas debt http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/ukraine-pays-gazprom-first-tranche-gas-debt-309763

EurActiv, 10.11.14: Senior Brussels official: Ukraine leadership ‘manipulating the EU’ http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/senior-brussels-official-ukraine-leadership-manipulating-eu-309882

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