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Gazprom deepens Ukraine gas cuts Ukraine may cut Europe gas supply
(about 1 hour later)
Gazprom, Russia's gas monopoly, says it will cut supplies of gas to Ukraine by a further 25% from 1700GMT. Ukraine has said it may restrict Russian gas supplies to Europe if gas monopoly Gazprom goes ahead with further cuts in Ukrainian supply.
It says shipments are being cut because Ukraine has failed to resolve a dispute over non-payment of debts. State-owned Gazprom says it will cut supplies of gas to Ukraine by a further 25% on Tuesday, but had said shipments to Europe would be unaffected.
A large proportion of the gas Russia sells to Europe passes through pipelines in Ukraine.
The dispute began after Russia said Ukraine had not paid its debts.
Gazprom reduced supplies by 25% from 0700GMT on Monday after talks broke down last week. Ukraine said the reduction was, in fact, 35%.Gazprom reduced supplies by 25% from 0700GMT on Monday after talks broke down last week. Ukraine said the reduction was, in fact, 35%.
The state-owned gas company said shipments to Europe through its pipelines were unaffected. Debt pressure
The crisis escalated on Tuesday as Gazprom announced a second cut.
Gazprom claims the outstanding debt is $1.5bn (£770m) and called on Ukraine to get back around the negotiating table.
"Twenty four hours have passed since Gazprom reduced supplies by a quarter, however the Ukrainian side has not resumed negotiations and the head of Naftogaz did not arrive in Moscow," Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said."Twenty four hours have passed since Gazprom reduced supplies by a quarter, however the Ukrainian side has not resumed negotiations and the head of Naftogaz did not arrive in Moscow," Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said.
He said Ukraine still owed money for gas already delivered, but Ukraine maintains the payments have already been made.He said Ukraine still owed money for gas already delivered, but Ukraine maintains the payments have already been made.
Push for talksPush for talks
Gazprom claims the outstanding debt is $1.5bn (£770m) and called on Ukraine to get back around the negotiating table. Mr Kupriyanov reassured European gas users earlier on Tuesday that shipments of Russian gas, which use pipelines that cross Ukraine, will continue.
Mr Kupriyanov reassured European gas users that shipments of Russian gas, which use pipelines that cross Ukraine, will continue.
"Export deliveries via Ukrainian territory are carried out in full volume," he said."Export deliveries via Ukrainian territory are carried out in full volume," he said.
The Gazprom spokesperson said Ukraine had refused access to two observers hired by Gazprom to monitor gas transit to Europe.The Gazprom spokesperson said Ukraine had refused access to two observers hired by Gazprom to monitor gas transit to Europe.
But the Ukrainian energy company Naftohaz Ukrayiny said Gazprom representatives were already present in the country, and that the two observers did not comply with "necessary regulations".But the Ukrainian energy company Naftohaz Ukrayiny said Gazprom representatives were already present in the country, and that the two observers did not comply with "necessary regulations".
"Such statements are just the next step in escalating tension," Naftohaz Ukrayiny spokesman Valentyn Zemlyanskyy said."Such statements are just the next step in escalating tension," Naftohaz Ukrayiny spokesman Valentyn Zemlyanskyy said.