MOSCOW, March 31 (UPI) -- Russian gas giant Gazprom submitted a request Tuesday to the European Union to examine its January dispute with Ukraine as Kiev pushes for EU membership.
A dispute over arrears and contracts between Kiev and Moscow prompted Gazprom to disrupt supplies to the Ukrainian gas transit network in January, leaving many in the cold for weeks.
Gazprom deputy chief Alexander Medvedev joined a chorus of frustration from Russian officials complaining the deal was a move to diminish its prevalence in the European gas sector. Medvedev said the January row was indicative of Ukraine's declining position in the region, RIA Novosti reports.
"A transit blackmailer, who blackmails both Russia and Europe at the same time, is not the best possible candidate for EU membership," he said.
Brussels reached a bilateral aid agreement with Kiev last week to upgrade Ukraine's crumbling Soviet-era gas transit network. Russia reacted furiously to the deal, saying any negotiations involving gas transit must include the supplier nation.
Ukrainian officials, however, said the EU deal was meant to improve its position as a regional transit hub and not a move to sideline Russia.
