European Firms try to minimise Russia sanctions

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/26/world/europe/european-firms-seek-to-minimize-russia-sanctions.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0


Alexander Medvedev, the No. 2 at Gazprom, said that his company had done everything possible to keep gas flowing to both Ukraine and Europe, but that the time of a financial reckoning was near, alluding to the $18.5 billion that he said Ukraine owed. How, he asked, can a publicly traded company like Gazprom keep contractual promises and make needed investments with such a cash shortfall from a slippery customer? Perhaps, he suggested, Ukraine’s Western friends would like to help meet these bills.


$18.5 billion !!!! Does Gazprom pay Ukraine for allowing the gas pipes underground to run to European Countries?