Published Date:
06 January 2009
By Geoff Meade
RUSSIA raised the stakes in its gas dispute with Ukraine last night, risking serious reductions in supplies to European Union countries.
Moscow announced a 20 per cent cut in the volume of gas piped to Europe via Ukraine, which is refusing to pay higher prices demanded by Russia's monopoly supplier, Gazprom.
And although Gazprom's boss promised to make up the EU shortfall by sending more gas via other routes, the decision increased concern in Brussels of energy shortages as winter bites. Moscow's announcement came after senior EU diplomats met in Brussels to hear that the dispute had already led to significant gas supply reductions in six mid-European member states – Hungary, Poland, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.
Moscow blames Ukraine, which Russia accuses of siphoning off supplies destined for the EU.
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Last Updated:
06 January 2009 12:59 AM
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Source:
The Scotsman
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Location:
Edinburgh
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Related Topics:
Russia
