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Russia gas cut 'to affect Europe' European gas supplies disrupted
(10 minutes later)
A sharp cut in the supply of Russian gas to Ukraine will affect Europe within hours, Ukraine's state gas company Naftogaz says. Several European countries say they have suffered major disruption to their Russian gas supplies after Moscow cut deliveries to Ukraine.
EU states are closely monitoring their gas imports after Russian energy giant Gazprom said it would cut exports through Ukrainian pipelines by a fifth. Turkey said all its supplies had been cut. Romania reported a 75% reduction. Bulgaria, Greece and Macedonia have also been affected, Bulgaria said.
Russia stopped supplying gas to Ukraine last week in a row over unpaid bills. Russian energy giant Gazprom decided to cut exports through Ukrainian pipelines by a fifth in a row over unpaid bills.
A number of EU countries have already announced disruptions. Romania said its supplies had been reduced by 75%. Russia stopped supplying gas to Ukraine last week.
Bulgaria's energy minister said Russian gas supplies to Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Macedonia had also been cut. A statement on the website of Ukrainian state company Naftogaz listed nine countries, including Germany, Poland, and Hungary which, it said, would receive reduced supplies.
A statement on Naftogaz's website lists nine countries, including Germany, Poland, and Hungary which, it says, will receive reduced supplies.
"Naftogaz of Ukraine considers that in such a case if European users receive less volumes of natural gas, all claims of the noted countries must be directed to Gazprom," says the statement."Naftogaz of Ukraine considers that in such a case if European users receive less volumes of natural gas, all claims of the noted countries must be directed to Gazprom," says the statement.
Pipes across Ukraine carry about one-fifth of the European Union's gas needs.Pipes across Ukraine carry about one-fifth of the European Union's gas needs.
'Gas stolen''Gas stolen'
The move to reduce supplies going through the Ukraine by a fifth came after Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin held talks with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller. Start reducing it from today Vladimir Putin Russian prime minister, speaking on Monday The move to reduce supplies going through the Ukraine by a fifth came after Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin held talks with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller.
Start reducing it from today Vladimir Putin Russian prime minister, speaking on Monday
Mr Miller recommended that deliveries via Ukraine should be reduced "by the amount stolen by Ukraine, that is 65.3 million cu/m of gas".Mr Miller recommended that deliveries via Ukraine should be reduced "by the amount stolen by Ukraine, that is 65.3 million cu/m of gas".
Future deliveries should be reduced on a daily basis by the amount of gas stolen, he added. Future deliveries should be reduced on a daily basis by the amount of gas "stolen", he added.
"Start reducing it from today," Mr Putin told Mr Miller on Monday."Start reducing it from today," Mr Putin told Mr Miller on Monday.
Ukraine has denied stealing gas, saying technical problems are disrupting the onward flow of gas to Europe.Ukraine has denied stealing gas, saying technical problems are disrupting the onward flow of gas to Europe.
Gazprom, in which the Russian state owns a majority stake, said it would compensate by sending more gas to Europe via other routes.Gazprom, in which the Russian state owns a majority stake, said it would compensate by sending more gas to Europe via other routes.
DivisionsDivisions
The row between Russia and Ukraine has been simmering for weeks. Gazprom says Ukraine owes it money; Ukraine says it has paid its debt. The two sides have also failed to agree on the price Ukraine should pay for gas in 2009.The row between Russia and Ukraine has been simmering for weeks. Gazprom says Ukraine owes it money; Ukraine says it has paid its debt. The two sides have also failed to agree on the price Ukraine should pay for gas in 2009.
Europe's gas pipeline network Enlarge MapEurope's gas pipeline network Enlarge Map
A similar row between Gazprom and Ukraine at the beginning of 2006 led to gas shortages in several EU countries.A similar row between Gazprom and Ukraine at the beginning of 2006 led to gas shortages in several EU countries.
EU leaders have been meeting in Brussels to discuss the dispute and a delegation has also been sent for talks with both Ukrainian and Gazprom officials.EU leaders have been meeting in Brussels to discuss the dispute and a delegation has also been sent for talks with both Ukrainian and Gazprom officials.
But, say correspondents, the EU is reluctant to get involved in what it describes as a commercial dispute - reflecting Europe's own deep divisions on how to respond to Russia.But, say correspondents, the EU is reluctant to get involved in what it describes as a commercial dispute - reflecting Europe's own deep divisions on how to respond to Russia.
Have you noticed changes in your gas supply? Have you been affected?
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