Commercial court of Kiev allowed seizure of Gazprom assets – Sergey Vodolagin quoted by Gazeta.ru

Commercial court of Kiev granted the Ukrainian Antimonopoly committee motion on execution of the court decision on fine collection from Gazprom. On December 24, 2015, the Ukrainian Antimonopoly committee recognized Gazprom as a monopolist on the Ukrainian nature gas transit market. Furthermore, on December 5, 2016, the Commercial court imposed a fine in amount of USD 6,5 Million on Gazprom, basing on the alleged monopolistic position abuse by Gazprom.

Thus, not only funds, but also all other Gazprom assets may be seized.

Westside law firm managing partner Sergey Vodolagin notes that an effective decision of the Ukrainian court may be enforced on the Ukrainian territory only, only assets situated on the Ukrainian territory may be seized.

However, Gazprom assets, situated on the Ukrainian territory, are insufficient to cover the fine imposed. Therefore, it is intriguing, whether Kiev will take chance of arresting the transit gas. If the transit gas is regarded as Gazprom asset by the Ukrainian authorities, it may be arrested, which will make problematic the transit of gas through Ukrainian territory, warned Vodolagin.