The old executive branch’s dream of having a single wholesale importer supply Russian natural gas to Ukraine has come true. It is Itera, an international energy company, and it is clear that the project could be implemented only with the Cabinet’s knowledge and consent. Unlike their predecessors, Mr. Pustovoitenko’s team declare support of demonopolizing the gas market but acts to the contrary, as evidenced by the Itera history carried by The Washington Post recently. Among other things, the article points to certain federal agencies feeling skeptical about aiding a company of dubious US origin.
While Itera’s President Ihor Makarov maintains the company is not affiliated to Russian Gasprom, certain Turkmenistan officials are quoted as saying that it is a child of Gasprom. The authors see proof of this in Gasprom’s insisting on Itera being a party to a gas supply contract with Ukraine.
So this is the obstacle for Turkmenian gas supplies to Ukraine which were promised by the Premier and the President prior and after their trips to Ashkhabad.
Itera’s role in gas supplies to Ukraine can hardly be overestimated, and of course thanks to Gasprom’s backing. Itera is currently the largest and only wholesale importer of Russian gas to Ukraine, and Rem Viakhirev, equally omnipotent in Russia and Ukraine, describes it as one of the best if not the best company. Shown such parental care on the Russian and Ukrainian side, Itera supplied over 1.15 billion cubic meters in May alone and (despite Ukraine’s assurances that no Russian gas will be imported in the summer) is planning bring in about 1.22 billion in June.
Ukraine’s gas traders are known to be among Itera’s largest dealers, perhaps including Unified Energy Systems of Ukraine. The Washington Post reads that the natural gas trade in Ukraine is marked by intrigues and severe competition.






