Press fears gas row worsening

Ukrainian press has branded the current gas conflict with Russia "a war of annihilation"

The press in Russia and Ukraine are despondent as the two countries' relationship deteriorates after failing to achieve a breakthrough in the dispute over gas supplies.

Amid warnings of legal action from the European Commission, some commentators warn that the dispute has entered "a new phase".

One editorial in a Ukrainian newspaper bleakly describes the current situation as "a war of annihilation".

Yesterday [13 January] Russia tried to resume gas supplies to Europe. But by midday the tap on the Ukrainian side was shut down. This means that the conflict is far from over and that European consumers should quickly look for alternative sources of raw material supplies.

Ukraine has failed to meet any of the conditions stipulated by the tripartite agreement which was signed in Brussels a few days ago. Instead, Kiev accused Moscow of trying to besmirch Ukraine in the eyes of the European community.

As became clear yesterday, the gas conflict has not finished but has merely entered a new phase.

The gas war between Russia and Ukraine only got worse yesterday. Ukraine did not let Gazprom pipe gas to Moldova and Romania, saying it was technically impossible. The Russian side is not agreeing to a change of route, which makes the prospects of gas being piped today equally doubtful.

To all appearances, Europe is seriously annoyed with the new gas transit problems... According to experts, a new aggravation of the conflict is a result of the absolute mistrust and misunderstanding which currently exists between the Russian and Ukrainian sides. Gazprom and Naftogaz are exchanging mutually exclusive statements, demonstrating their unwillingness to stop the gas war.

The resumption of transit means nothing for Ukraine. It only complicates the situation because Gazprom is resolving its main problem to resume export to Europe, and therefore it will be even more difficult to negotiate with.

In fact, yesterday's turning on of gas transit did not add points to either of the sides. An experiment that will be repeated today.

An epic gas conflict seems to be over. However, if President Yushchenko thinks that the EU will forgive him for his chronic 'Europeanness', he is absolutely wrong.

Meanwhile, "the [transit] process" hit a dead-end, and these are no longer bilateral relations but a war of annihilation.

BBC Monitoringselects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad.

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