OREANDA-NEWS. Russia will agree to open direct gas supplies to Ukraine only on condition of political concessions in the Donbas and Crimea, said Ukrainian analyst Alexander Kochetkov.

In his opinion, Moscow intends to "strangle" Kiev with an energy stranglehold. Already now there is such a situation when there is not enough money to overcome the crisis, the analyst notes.

“Because Russia is ready to supply gas and coal to us not just for huge money, but also for political concessions in Donbass and Crimea,” he explained in an article for Glavred.

At the same time, the analyst accuses the current Ukrainian government of high gas prices in the country: it should have provided for alternative purchases of energy resources and a real gas reverse, Kochetkov said.

At the same time, a loophole was closed for the supply of coal from certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions (CADLO) to Ukraine through Russia, the analyst wrote.

In conclusion, Kochetkov suggested that if protests start in Ukraine due to gas shortages, President Zelensky will speak "as harshly as possible."

Ukraine has not purchased gas from Russia directly since 2015. She uses reverse procurement schemes from Europe.