Gas supplies: will Gazprom move the goalposts?

Yesterday (7 Sept), Dmitri Medvedev discussed Gazprom's operational priorities in Russia, gas-sector cooperation in the Caspian region, and relations with gas consumers in Belarus and Ukraine with Alexei Miller, Gazprom's chief executive. 
 
The President emphasised that Gazprom’s priority on the domestic market should be getting households connected to the gas supply network, especially in the rural areas. Mr Miller reported that 69 of the country’s regions are now covered by the programme to get the whole of Russia connected.
 
Gas-sector cooperation in the Caspian region, in Mr Medvedev’s view, requires clear legal regulation at the state level, perhaps in the form of an intergovernmental agreement. The President noted that he will discuss gas cooperation at an upcoming informal summit with the leaders of Caspian countries Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.
 
Also discussed were relations with Gazprom’s Ukrainian partners and their proposal that Gazprom make advance payment for transit of Russian gas via Ukrainian territory – something not stipulated in the contracts currently in effect. Mr Medvedev then stressed that Gazprom should act strictly in accordance with the current contractual terms and conditions.
 
The European Commission has recently been suggesting that it is getting a grip on ensuring security of supply of Russian fuel. The lack of solidarity amongst member states in their dealings with Russia is highly problematic, as certain leaders continue to work for bilateral deals.
 
The Ukraine has also appeared more confident that the "traditional" January switch-off of supplies can be avoided. Now the goalposts are to be moved, with Ukraine possibly being required to make advance payments for its liquid gas. (There is always a chance, of course, that the Kremlin's favoured candidate in next January's Presidential elections, Viktor Yanukovych might broker a compromise, thus strengthening his credentials with the voters...!)
 
Members of the European Parliament have been voicing their concerns about the possibility of a new  crisis: Latvian MEP Krišj?nis Kari?š asked the question:  "Latvia depends 100% on Russian gas, are we prepared for another winter?".  MEPs have also reiterated  the need for a common European energy policy: "The only way to counter the non-European attitudes of some member states is to have a strong EU policy that would force them to follow the Commission's way" said Italian Socialist Patrizia Toia. MEPs also raised the concern that alternative projects to Nabucco, the EU funded gas pipeline, could jeopardize European efforts to have a common policy. "The Nord stream project raises environmental and security concerns" warned Swedish Liberal MEP Lena Ek.  
The debate on gas pipelines and the state of play of the Nabucco pipeline project will be on the agenda of the Plenary session which opens on 14 September in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.