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| Version 11 | Version 12 |
|---|---|
| Dispute hits Europe gas supplies | Dispute hits Europe gas supplies |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Exports of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine appear to have completely stopped amid a dispute over gas supplies between the two countries. | Exports of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine appear to have completely stopped amid a dispute over gas supplies between the two countries. |
| Heating systems shut down in some parts of central Europe, as outdoor temperatures plunged to -10C or lower. | Heating systems shut down in some parts of central Europe, as outdoor temperatures plunged to -10C or lower. |
| Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other, and the EU says it wants its own monitors to check the flow of gas. | Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other, and the EU says it wants its own monitors to check the flow of gas. |
| The EU depends on Russia for about a quarter of its total gas supplies, some 80% of which is pumped through Ukraine. | The EU depends on Russia for about a quarter of its total gas supplies, some 80% of which is pumped through Ukraine. |
| The list of countries that have reported a total halt of Russian supplies via Ukraine includes Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Serbia, and Austria. | The list of countries that have reported a total halt of Russian supplies via Ukraine includes Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Serbia, and Austria. |
| Italy said it had received only 10% of its expected supply. | Italy said it had received only 10% of its expected supply. |
| See map of affected area | See map of affected area |
| The row comes amid a cold snap across Europe that is likely to push up demand for gas. | The row comes amid a cold snap across Europe that is likely to push up demand for gas. |
| Bulgaria says it has sufficient supplies for just a few more days. | Bulgaria says it has sufficient supplies for just a few more days. |
| It's -11C outside and only 14C indoors, with the prospect of a bitterly cold night. We are worried about our children, but I can't help thinking about the elderly Carey McIntosh Sarajevo, Bosnia-Hercegovina BBC readers feel shortages biteBulgaria shivers as gas dwindlesGas cut: How Europe is coping | It's -11C outside and only 14C indoors, with the prospect of a bitterly cold night. We are worried about our children, but I can't help thinking about the elderly Carey McIntosh Sarajevo, Bosnia-Hercegovina BBC readers feel shortages biteBulgaria shivers as gas dwindlesGas cut: How Europe is coping |
| Many other countries are now tapping strategic reserves, built up to cope with just such a development, says the BBC's central Europe correspondent Nick Thorpe. | Many other countries are now tapping strategic reserves, built up to cope with just such a development, says the BBC's central Europe correspondent Nick Thorpe. |
| Power stations have been told to switch to fuel oil where possible, while big industrial users have been told to prepare to limit or halt use. | Power stations have been told to switch to fuel oil where possible, while big industrial users have been told to prepare to limit or halt use. |
| Some 12,000 households in the eastern Bulgarian city of Varna had been left without central heating, authorities said. Nearby Dobrich was also affected. | Some 12,000 households in the eastern Bulgarian city of Varna had been left without central heating, authorities said. Nearby Dobrich was also affected. |
| In many former Soviet bloc countries whole towns and areas rely on a single centralised heating system, so that when that shuts down, every household is affected. | In many former Soviet bloc countries whole towns and areas rely on a single centralised heating system, so that when that shuts down, every household is affected. |
| Venting anger | Venting anger |
| Russia and Ukraine have been blaming each other for the disruption to Europe's energy supplies. Dependence on Russia for gas: 100% dependent on Russia: Latvia, Slovakia, Finland, EstoniaMore than 80% dependent: Bulgaria, Lithuania, Czech RepublicMore than 60% dependent: Greece, Austria, Hungary Source: European Council on Foreign Relations, 2006 figures Pressure rising as gas supplies fallEurope's need for Russian gas class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5880&edition=2">Send us your comments | |
| Russia's gas company Gazprom has accused Ukraine of shutting off the final pipeline carrying gas to Europe, but Ukraine's Naftogaz said that would be impossible, since the taps are in Russia. | Russia's gas company Gazprom has accused Ukraine of shutting off the final pipeline carrying gas to Europe, but Ukraine's Naftogaz said that would be impossible, since the taps are in Russia. |
| Correspondents say the differing versions offered by the two countries show how far apart they are, and that the row is rapidly becoming a means for venting anger caused by poor political relations. | Correspondents say the differing versions offered by the two countries show how far apart they are, and that the row is rapidly becoming a means for venting anger caused by poor political relations. |
| European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso accused the two countries of taking the EU's gas supply "hostage" and urged them to resume supplies immediately. | European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso accused the two countries of taking the EU's gas supply "hostage" and urged them to resume supplies immediately. |
| He said the EU was ready to send monitors to the Russian-Ukrainian border, and at Ukrainian exit points, to determine where the shortfalls originated. | He said the EU was ready to send monitors to the Russian-Ukrainian border, and at Ukrainian exit points, to determine where the shortfalls originated. |
| Russia has called for such monitors and Ukraine's prime minister said they could start work "immediately", according to the AFP news agency. | Russia has called for such monitors and Ukraine's prime minister said they could start work "immediately", according to the AFP news agency. |
| Talks between Naftogaz and Gazprom aimed at resolving the crisis are due to resume in Moscow on Thursday - after the Christmas public holiday on Wednesday in Russia and Ukraine. | Talks between Naftogaz and Gazprom aimed at resolving the crisis are due to resume in Moscow on Thursday - after the Christmas public holiday on Wednesday in Russia and Ukraine. |
| Gazprom will also discuss the matter with the EU on the same day. | Gazprom will also discuss the matter with the EU on the same day. |
| Back to top | Back to top |
| Have you been affected? Are you worried by the crisis? | Have you been affected? Are you worried by the crisis? |
| Send your comments using the post form below. | Send your comments using the post form below. |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |