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| Version 16 | Version 17 |
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| Russia 'forced' into oil shutdown | Russia 'forced' into oil shutdown |
| (1 day later) | |
| Russia has said the decision to stop pumping oil through a key pipeline to Europe was forced upon it by events outside of its control. | Russia has said the decision to stop pumping oil through a key pipeline to Europe was forced upon it by events outside of its control. |
| The comments came as officials from Belarus and Russia began talks aimed at resolving an escalating energy dispute. | The comments came as officials from Belarus and Russia began talks aimed at resolving an escalating energy dispute. |
| Russia has been condemned by the European Union for cutting off its oil supplies without consultation. | Russia has been condemned by the European Union for cutting off its oil supplies without consultation. |
| German chancellor Angela Merkel dubbed the move "unacceptable" and one that "destroyed trust" in Russia. | German chancellor Angela Merkel dubbed the move "unacceptable" and one that "destroyed trust" in Russia. |
| Ms Merkel also said the current conflict illustrated that Europe's energy sources should be more diverse. | Ms Merkel also said the current conflict illustrated that Europe's energy sources should be more diverse. |
| European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso had said earlier that energy companies should not be allowed to cut off oil supplies unannounced. | European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso had said earlier that energy companies should not be allowed to cut off oil supplies unannounced. |
| However, Russian Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko said the row with Belarus which led to the pipeline closure constituted a "force majeure" - which means that the events are beyond the country's control and it is free of its obligations. | |
| Supply questions | Supply questions |
| Russia has accused Minsk of stealing oil and on Monday stopped oil exports to Belarus, a move that, effectively, also halted exports to Germany, Poland and beyond. | Russia has accused Minsk of stealing oil and on Monday stopped oil exports to Belarus, a move that, effectively, also halted exports to Germany, Poland and beyond. |
| It's necessary to secure the interests of Russian companies that have obviously encountered losses Vladimir Putin Q&A: Pipeline shutdown Analysis: Oil row | It's necessary to secure the interests of Russian companies that have obviously encountered losses Vladimir Putin Q&A: Pipeline shutdown Analysis: Oil row |
| The European Commission is convening its oil supply group on Thursday to discuss the impact of the shut-off, amid reports that some refiners are now being affected. | The European Commission is convening its oil supply group on Thursday to discuss the impact of the shut-off, amid reports that some refiners are now being affected. |
| Meanwhile, Russian president Vladimir Putin has told his government to do everything in its power to protect the interests of its oil customers. | Meanwhile, Russian president Vladimir Putin has told his government to do everything in its power to protect the interests of its oil customers. |
| However, he has also warned that the country may have to cut oil output, which some experts suggest to be a sign that he is hoping to force Belarus into a climb down. | However, he has also warned that the country may have to cut oil output, which some experts suggest to be a sign that he is hoping to force Belarus into a climb down. |
| "It's necessary to secure the interests of Russian companies that have obviously encountered losses," Mr Putin added. | "It's necessary to secure the interests of Russian companies that have obviously encountered losses," Mr Putin added. |
| 'No threat' | 'No threat' |
| Despite the pipeline closure, European markets should be able to cope with the drop in exports, the International Energy Agency (IEA), a multilateral energy think-tank said. | Despite the pipeline closure, European markets should be able to cope with the drop in exports, the International Energy Agency (IEA), a multilateral energy think-tank said. |
| The three buzzwords are sustainability, competitiveness and security Q&A: EU Energy Policy | The three buzzwords are sustainability, competitiveness and security Q&A: EU Energy Policy |
| European legislation requires member states to hold emergency stocks, which the European Commission said stood at more than 120 days. | European legislation requires member states to hold emergency stocks, which the European Commission said stood at more than 120 days. |
| The IEA added that even if the shut-off was a prolonged one, refineries "could source crude supplies from alternative routes, and some of them are already organising alternative supplies". | The IEA added that even if the shut-off was a prolonged one, refineries "could source crude supplies from alternative routes, and some of them are already organising alternative supplies". |
| Azerbaijan is also in dispute with Russia and has suspended oil exports to Russia following a pricing dispute with state-backed gas giant Gazprom. | Azerbaijan is also in dispute with Russia and has suspended oil exports to Russia following a pricing dispute with state-backed gas giant Gazprom. |
| Row deepens | Row deepens |
| Russia has been pushing prices higher and started to charge duties on its crude oil shipments. | Russia has been pushing prices higher and started to charge duties on its crude oil shipments. |
| Russia's moves prompted Belarus to impose a transit tax on the Russian oil being shipped through pipelines that crossed its territories. | Russia's moves prompted Belarus to impose a transit tax on the Russian oil being shipped through pipelines that crossed its territories. |
| Belarus then launched a legal action against Transneft when the Russian oil pipeline monopoly refused to pay the charges. | Belarus then launched a legal action against Transneft when the Russian oil pipeline monopoly refused to pay the charges. |
| Belarus has said it is ready to negotiate over its decision to introduce a $45 (£23) per tonne charge for oil shipped through its territory. | Belarus has said it is ready to negotiate over its decision to introduce a $45 (£23) per tonne charge for oil shipped through its territory. |
| The latest energy wrangle comes almost a year after deliveries of Russian natural gas to much of Western Europe were disrupted during a dispute over pricing between Russia and Ukraine. | The latest energy wrangle comes almost a year after deliveries of Russian natural gas to much of Western Europe were disrupted during a dispute over pricing between Russia and Ukraine. |