##Ukraine demands to increase transit transportation fees for Russian oil

On November 21, local time, Bloomberg reported that due to rising electricity costs due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s power supply system, Ukraine plans to increase the rate of transporting Russian oil to Eastern Europe through the “Friendship” oil pipeline from next year. The transit transportation fee increased from the original 11.5 euros/ton to 13.6 euros/ton. According to previous reports by Observer.com, Ukraine stopped transporting Russian oil through the "Friendship" oil pipeline on August 4 because Russia did not pay the transit transportation fee in full. On August 10, oil transportation resumed in the southern section of the "Friendship" oil pipeline. TASS quoted Transneft news as saying that Ukraine confirmed receipt of transit transportation fees paid by Hungary and Slovakia.

Follow me to find out what exactly is going on when Ukraine demands to increase transit transportation fees for Russian oil.

Ukraine thinks of new ways to make money

Since October, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has entered a new watershed. Large-scale offensive and defensive battles rarely occur. The long-awaited He The Battle of Ersun also failed to take place. The Russian army actually retreated on its own initiative, which was really incomprehensible.

However, I believe everyone can understand another set of numbers. As of now, more than 5 million people are unemployed, more than 7 million people have become refugees, more than 7 million people are in areas controlled by Russia, and more than 10 million people are without water or electricity across Ukraine. These figures are shocking. Don’t forget that before the Russian-Ukrainian conflict broke out, Ukraine had a population of only 41 million. It can be seen that almost every Ukrainian is in great difficulty, which will be even more obvious in the coming winter.

According to RIA Novosti, Hans Krueger, director of the World Health Organization’s European Regional Office who is visiting Kiev, said on November 21, local time, that after the cold wave this winter, there will be Between two and three million Ukrainians were forced from their homes.

Krueger said, “We expect that another two to three million people will leave their homes in search of warmth and safety. They will encounter more serious illnesses such as COVID-19, respiratory infections like influenza, and measles. Serious health risks of all kinds. ”

These new refugees face greater difficulties. They have no fixed place to live, are displaced, have no food to eat, and are hungry and cold. They need a lot of diesel generators, food, medicine, and clothing to keep out the cold, and all of this requires money.

The Ukrainian government is now in very difficult circumstances. Assistance from Western countries can only be a drop in the bucket, and it is not timely. It must think of other ways to make money, and get some, just a little.

According to a report by RIA Novosti on the 21st, Igor Demin, advisor to the president of the Russian Petroleum Pipeline Transport Company, said in Moscow that the company has received a request from the Ukrainian Oil Transport Company to increase the transit transportation costs of Russian oil through Ukraine. The proposal requires that the toll on the "Friendship" oil pipeline be increased by 2.1 euros to 13.6 euros per ton starting from January 1 next year. This is the third time Ukraine has asked for a price increase this year.

Russia's "Friendship" oil pipeline is divided into a northern route and a southern route. The southern route passes through Ukraine and is transported to Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and other countries. The annual transportation capacity can reach 100 million tons. In this way, Ukraine can earn nearly 1 billion euros a year, which is very considerable for the Ukrainian government, which is short of money.

A very interesting phenomenon is that even though Ukraine and Russia are at war, Ukraine is still forced to allow Russian oil and natural gas to transit. On the one hand, it is because you can charge a lot of tolls and use natural gas and oil almost for free. The other most important reason is that these pipelines are the energy lifeline of many EU countries. If Ukraine stops allowing pipelines to transit, it will offend many EU countries. It is even more difficult for member states to want EU aid.

Russia’s oil and natural gas pipelines are spread throughout almost the entire European continent, delivering oil and gas directly to the doorsteps of other countries. It is convenient, fast, high-quality and cheap. This is something that many countries cannot refuse. After all, it is better than the United States and The Middle East is way cheaper.

Whether it is aid from Western countries or the fiscal revenue of the Kiev authorities, they are basically used by Ukrainian President Zelensky to fight the war, and very little can be used for the Ukrainian people.

For the Ukrainian people, the best outcome is to avoid starvation and freezing to death this winter. Peace and a warm home are what the Ukrainian people want most.

Power shortage increases costs, Ukraine demands to increase transit transportation fees for Russian oil

Text/Observer Network Zhou Yibo

November 21, local time, Bloomberg According to reports, due to rising electricity costs due to Russia's attack on Ukraine's power supply system, Ukraine plans to increase the transit transportation fee for Russian oil to Eastern Europe through the "Friendship" oil pipeline (Druzhba pipeline) from next year, from the original 11.5 euros/ton. increased to 13.6 euros/ton.

According to RIA Novosti news, the Russian Oil Pipeline Transport Company (Transneft) revealed that it has received a price increase notice from Ukraine, is studying relevant proposals, and is drafting and submitting them to the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service and the Ministry of Energy. relevant notifications.

Screenshot of Bloomberg report

Public information shows that the "Friendship" oil pipeline (transliterated as "Druzhba Pipeline") began operation in 1964 and is the longest oil pipeline in the world. Road, with a total length of about 4,000 kilometers. The pipeline starts in Russia's Samara Oblast and is divided into northern and southern sections at Mazyr in southern Belarus. The southern section will pass through Ukraine and transport crude oil all the way to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.

In a letter obtained by Bloomberg from Ukraine’s state oil pipeline operator Ukrtransnafta, the company told Transneft that “continued damage to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has led to severe shortages of electricity and increased costs for fuel and spare parts.” shortage".

The letter, signed by Ukrtransnafta’s general director Vladimir Sebenda, outlines the costs of energy shortages and the need to provide safe working conditions and security facilities for employees. Increased costs.

Ukrtransnafta said that starting from January 1, 2023, the transit transportation fee for crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia will be increased by 2.10 euros/ton to 13.60 euros/ton. According to reports, the fee was also raised in April this year, with the annual increase reaching 51%.

According to previous reports by Observer.com, Ukraine stopped transporting Russian oil through the "Friendship" oil pipeline on August 4 because Russia did not pay the transit transportation fee in full.

In this regard, Transneft revealed that the company paid Uzbekistan the cost of oil transportation in August on July 22, but due to the impact of EU sanctions, the payment was returned on July 28. Gazprombank, which is responsible for the payments business, explained that European banks must obtain approval from relevant government agencies before deciding on relevant transactions.

On August 10, oil transportation was resumed in the southern section of the "Friendship" oil pipeline. TASS quoted Transneft news as saying that Ukraine confirmed receipt of transit transportation fees paid by Hungary and Slovakia.

"Friendship" oil pipeline transmission route

Bloomberg pointed out that on November 15, the southern section of the "Friendship" oil pipeline was interrupted for one day because of a fault in Ukraine. The power station providing services was hit by artillery fire. The Ukrainian Air Force stated that Russia fired about 100 rockets into Ukraine that day.

According to a previous report by the Ukrainian National News Agency, several explosions were heard in Kiev on the afternoon of the 15th. Klitschko said that some buildings in Kiev were hit.

Tymoshenko, deputy director of the Ukrainian President’s Office, said that 15 energy facilities across Ukraine were damaged, including the capital Kiev, Vinnytsia Oblast, Volyn Oblast, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, daycare More than 7 million users in Mir Oblast, Lviv Oblast, and Poltava Oblast were without power.

In addition, Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmeygar said that day that high-voltage substations, thermal power plants and other facilities in Ukraine were attacked, and almost all areas experienced power outages.

Source of the "Friendship" oil pipeline passing through the southwestern border city of Ukraine, Mukachevo: Bloomberg

According to RIA Novosti, Igor Demin, advisor to the president of Transneft, said that it has Received a proposal from Ukrtransnafta to increase the transit transportation cost of Russian oil through Ukraine.

"We are studying these proposals and are drafting relevant notifications to be submitted to Russian state agencies - the Federal Antimonopoly Service and the Ministry of Energy." Igor Demin said.