Ukraine braces for frigid winter amid uncertainty about natural gas supply from … – Tribune
KYIV, Ukraine — The frigid water that comes out of the hot faucet of Alexander Korniienko’s shower in Kyiv is a warning for his nation: After months without natural gas shipments from Russia, Ukraine may be facing a chilly winter.
Ukrainian citizens are layering their sweaters in preparation for a tough confrontation with the Kremlin — this time over energy. It is a replay of previous wintertime gas cutoffs from Russia that led to accusations that the Kremlin was using its bountiful energy supplies as a political weapon.
Korniienko has been on the vanguard of those enduring the latest gas cutoff. Kyiv eliminated city-provided hot water in July as a conservation measure. He bathes by heating water in pots on his stove and sloshing them over his head.
“We have the ice bucket challenge every morning,� said Korniienko, 23, a computer programmer. “You take one shower and you go out and you get sick,� he said, fending off a sneeze.
Months into grinding negotiations, officials from Russia, Ukraine and the European Union on Friday announced a last-ditch proposal to help Ukraine get through the winter, but the sides appear to be squabbling over the price Russia will charge Ukraine. Analysts said that the plans may be derailed.
The EU is eager to foster a deal because continued disruptions in Russian gas shipments could expand the frostbite zone to eastern European nations that are largely dependent on Russia for their natural gas supplies. Most of Europe is as far north as Canada. Minneapolis is at roughly the same latitude as southern France, and Kyiv is level with Calgary, so winters can be bitter.
Experts and diplomats warn that Ukraine has not done enough to prepare for a season with severely limited gas supplies.
“It is not going to be easy,� Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk told a Ukrainian television station.