Quote Originally Posted by OUTLAW 09 View Post
Stan---what Gazprom is not wanting to admit to is that the EU anti trust commission is built on the German model---which allows the anti trust guys to define the violation and the fines---once that is done the companies have no legal recourse---they can beg a review but not a single EU company has avoided the fines.

The EU has been waiting for Putin to make his gas moves before they pull the trigger as a negotiation tactic.

The Slovaks have asked the EU for legal determination on reverse shipping of gas to the Ukraine---meaning will they be in violation of Gazproms contracts and liable for penalties.

Initial ruling has been no violations as they view many of the Gazproms contracts to be in violation of anti trust regulations for the EU and Gazprom has been informed of their determinations.

So yes Russia could attempt to avoid but in the end Gazprom will pay as the delivery contracts foresee penalties if Gazprom does not maintain the gas pressure flow of a minimum of 62%.

What is more interesting is that in the recent Interfax press release of several days ago the Russian FM threatened the West if they even thought about reverse gas flows to the Ukraine---then the anti trust guys voiced a few words and then the Russian threats went silent.

What is also interesting is that the reverse gas flow plans came from E.ON and RWE pushed by the German government and now Slovakia is starting the pipe check processes needed.
Outlaw,
I still have the very same question

Quote Originally Posted by Stan View Post

It would be interesting to know just how many times the EU threatened Russia with sanctions and fines, and, just how many times Russia actually paid, or, paid attention.
Moving forward... Let's for the sake of argument say the EU backs Putin into a corner. The very next day following a terrorist attack and the pipeline is screwed and repairs could take years.

I'm unaware of a single instance where Russia paid her bills or backed down from Western threats.