Kuujis Gas is a commodity. As oil, coffee (as sprats
). The buyer (such as Slovakia or Greece) purchases the goods is stable, the buyer shall pay at the time, the buyer is predictable. Such a partner ensures the success of your business. It makes sense to invest, to go on some financial costs (modernization of production, increasing of capacities, changing modes of production). The seller will make a reserve for the buyer, seller will create pleasant conditions for a permanent client. The seller will sell cheaper, that would not losing customers.
However, if the buyer breaches the terms of payment or says: «Seller bad. We will not buy from this seller. We are building a new production. We will not pay. We have other vendors...». How to have done business with this client? Not to sell him? We should sell, for want of money. The production should be tailored to the needs of this client as well. But the risks, financial and other, should be compensated by the price of goods. Who should pay for such financial risks? All? No, this is bad buyer.
Ukraine wants to buy from Slovakia. Excellent! Russia (for political purposes) will increase the price for Slovakia? No. Slovakia is a reliable business partner. Payment is always on time. Gas deliveries to Ukraine, finally, will not free. Slovakia, probably, even will receive a discount.
Paradoxically, benefits and bonuses will receive not only Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine. EU politicians say, «Look, we won evil Russia! Russia not to create obstacles to reverse supply of gas to Ukraine! Russia was scared and reduced the price for Slovakia! The EU is power!»
Obama will also say: «the Efforts of America, the efforts of all progressive mankind, the efforts of the civilized world brought victory! Russia punished! We have proved Russia that in our world there is no place for abuse of power!»