On March 4, 2015 President Vladimir Putin met with Government members to discuss state socioeconomic policy. Changes to the federal budget parameters and the situation with Russian gas supplies to Ukraine were also discussed within his opening remarks.
PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN:
“Good afternoon, colleagues,
We will hear from the Economic Development Minister today, who will tell us about the structural measures needed to get back on the sustainable development track.
But first of all, we have a few routine matters concerning the work of the Presidential Executive Office, the Government, the regions, and the parliament. Unfortunately, the Energy Minister is not here today, he was in Brussels, talking with our colleagues there about our relations with Ukraine in the gas sector. Ukraine’s prepaid gas supplies will only last another two days. Nothing is being done. I ask the Prime Minister and Gazprom to give this matter more attention, keeping in mind that no one wants a return to the conflicts of past years, and we are ready to carry out all of contractual obligations, but strictly on a prepaid basis.
Another matter concerns the need to change the budget parameters. The changing circumstances in our external relations have made this necessary. A new version of the budget has been drafted, based on a lower oil price of $50 a barrel, an exchange rate of 61.5 rubles to the dollar, and no possibility of raising financial resources on international markets.
We will need to make the necessary amendments to the budget law. I know that the Government worked long and hard on this. You need to continue working in this same way now with the State Duma deputies.”
Source: Kremlin
See video: Russia threatens to cut off Ukraine Gas supply https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg4Fm2EMEE4
Gas used as a weapon
See video: Putin slams Kiev for cutting off gas supplies to E. Ukraine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3MnnE0xKVM
See also: Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Ukraine is on the verge of having its Russian gas deliveries halted https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qstJa2eA9yc
See video: Ukraine makes new gas payment to Russia amid supply threats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtBwr4zJH9g