Posted on 01/02/2006 10:48:14 AM PST by george76
Russia says it will pump more gas to Europe after various countries said their supplies had fallen by up to 40% after Moscow cut Ukraine's provision.
France, Italy, Germany and Poland were among those reporting falling volumes.
Russia said it was sending an extra 95m cubic metres a day to make up for gas "stolen" by Ukraine.
Ukraine denies it has siphoned off $25m (£15m) worth of gas from a pipeline crossing its territory after Russia cut off its supply in a price dispute.
Russian gas monopoly Gazprom raised the price of 1,000 cubic metres of gas from $50 to $230 and Ukraine refused to pay.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
I knew Putin would give in sooner or later. I mean, it was just short of declaring war on Europe. It was rather heavy-handed. He'll have to find some other way of using leverage against Ukraine.
Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin said his country had also been cut off, after refusing to pay $160 per 1,000 cubic metres, according to the Itar-Tass news agency.
'Blackmail'
Kiev says it is being punished for its attempts to become more independent from Moscow and develop stronger ties with the West.
It has accused Russia of resorting to "blackmail" in order to undermine Ukraine's economy.
EU energy officials prepared to discuss the crisis at a meeting on Wednesday.
Germany, which depends on Russia for 30% of its supplies, has called on Moscow to "act responsibly".
Yeah but now Russia is stealing the gas that Ukraine just bought for $60 from Turkmanistan
http://www2.pravda.com.ua/en/news/2006/1/2/4959.htm
...assuming that Puty hasn't found some way to continue to screw Ukraine while giving the rest of Europe gas (heh).
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