Below is a summary of the main energy-related events in Russia, the CIS and neighboring countries on December 13, 2005
* Russian energy giant Gazprom rejected Ukraine's proposal to gradually transition to market prices for Russian natural gas, calling it unacceptable and a tactic to draw out talks
* Gazprom has said it will stop gas deliveries to Ukraine if no contract is signed by January 1
* Gazprom has set up a headquarters to ensure uninterrupted natural gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine
* Russia's Economic Development and Trade Ministry said:
- an inter-ministerial commission on protectionist measures adopted a decision to cancel export duties on liquefied natural gas
- all the documents on lifting the "ring fence" from around common shares in energy giant Gazprom, which will end restrictions on foreign ownership, will be signed by the end of the year
- an inter-ministerial commission on protectionist measures adopted a decision to simultaneously regulate an increase of export duties on oil and oil products in 2006
- Belgium is considering establishing an industrial zone in the Moscow Region, while Gazexport, Gazprom's export arm, is interested in building underground storage facilities in the European country
- the government supports state-owned oil major Russneft's bid for a stake in Slovakian national oil pipeline operator Transpetrol
* Donald Evans, a former U.S. secretary of commerce and still long-time ally of President Bush, may become chairman of Russian state-owned oil major Rosneft, a leading business daily reported, which the Russian Economic Development and Trade Ministry has no official information to confirm
* A Russian government official said state-owned oil major Rosneft would consolidate its assets before holding an initial public offering
* Iran has voiced support for talks concerning uranium enrichment in Russia
* An opening ceremony of the first oil pipeline allowing Kazakhstan to export oil to China while bypassing Russia will be held Thursday
* Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will hold energy consultations in line with a Russia-Asean cooperation program for 2005-2015 announced Tuesday
* The International Energy Agency is predicting world daily oil demand will be 130,000 barrels higher in 2006 than previously expected
