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| EU gas monitors arrive in Ukraine | EU gas monitors arrive in Ukraine |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| There are hopes that gas flows through Ukraine may soon be restored after the first EU monitors arrived to start checking pipelines from Russia. | There are hopes that gas flows through Ukraine may soon be restored after the first EU monitors arrived to start checking pipelines from Russia. |
| Hundreds of thousands of homes in Europe remain without heating amid plunging temperatures, following a row over gas between Russia and Ukraine. | Hundreds of thousands of homes in Europe remain without heating amid plunging temperatures, following a row over gas between Russia and Ukraine. |
| But Russia says shipments will resume when Russian, Ukrainian and EU monitors start work, possibly later in the day. | But Russia says shipments will resume when Russian, Ukrainian and EU monitors start work, possibly later in the day. |
| It may still take several days for gas to reach some areas, however. | It may still take several days for gas to reach some areas, however. |
| "It will take at least three days," to get the whole system functioning again, EU energy spokesman Ferran Terradellas said. | "It will take at least three days," to get the whole system functioning again, EU energy spokesman Ferran Terradellas said. |
| More than 15 countries have been hit by the shutdown of Russian supplies. | More than 15 countries have been hit by the shutdown of Russian supplies. |
| Serbia and Bosnia-Hercegovina are among the worst hit, as many homes there rely on communal heating stations that only run on gas. | Serbia and Bosnia-Hercegovina are among the worst hit, as many homes there rely on communal heating stations that only run on gas. |
| See map of affected area | See map of affected area |
| Bulgaria, which gets nearly all its gas supplies from Russia via Ukraine, has imposed gas rationing and has closed schools. | Bulgaria, which gets nearly all its gas supplies from Russia via Ukraine, has imposed gas rationing and has closed schools. |
| The EU said the first of its monitors arrived in Kiev on Friday lunchtime. They were expected to start touring gas pumping stations later. | The EU said the first of its monitors arrived in Kiev on Friday lunchtime. They were expected to start touring gas pumping stations later. |
| A major stumbling block was removed earlier when Ukraine agreed to accept Russian experts as part of the monitoring mission. | A major stumbling block was removed earlier when Ukraine agreed to accept Russian experts as part of the monitoring mission. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has also promised that EU monitors can go anywhere in Russia to verify gas flows, said Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, who has assumed a mediating role for the EU. | Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has also promised that EU monitors can go anywhere in Russia to verify gas flows, said Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, who has assumed a mediating role for the EU. |
| The head of Russia's state-controlled gas monopoly Gazprom, Alexei Miller, said he expected a formal monitoring deal to be signed on Friday. | The head of Russia's state-controlled gas monopoly Gazprom, Alexei Miller, said he expected a formal monitoring deal to be signed on Friday. |
| "And immediately after that we will renew deliveries," he said. | "And immediately after that we will renew deliveries," he said. |
| Price row remains | Price row remains |
| An estimated 100,000 people in Serbia were left without heating when Russian gas supplies to Europe were halted on Wednesday, the BBC's Helen Fawkes in Belgrade said. | An estimated 100,000 people in Serbia were left without heating when Russian gas supplies to Europe were halted on Wednesday, the BBC's Helen Fawkes in Belgrade said. |
| With sub-zero temperatures across the country, at least eight towns and cities were completely cut off. | With sub-zero temperatures across the country, at least eight towns and cities were completely cut off. |
| 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 Political fallout in chilly BulgariaThe rifts behind Europe's gas row href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5889&edition=2">Send us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7817780.stm">A struggle to keep warm | |
| Most of its gas-powered heating stations have switched to alternative energy but some can only operate on gas and have had to shut down completely, our correspondent adds. | Most of its gas-powered heating stations have switched to alternative energy but some can only operate on gas and have had to shut down completely, our correspondent adds. |
| It has also received emergency gas from Hungary and Germany. | It has also received emergency gas from Hungary and Germany. |
| In neighbouring Bosnia, some 72,000 homes were without heating in temperatures as low as -15C. Leaders warned its gas reserves would last only a few more days. | In neighbouring Bosnia, some 72,000 homes were without heating in temperatures as low as -15C. Leaders warned its gas reserves would last only a few more days. |
| Angry Bulgarians protested in front of the Ukrainian embassy in Sofia on Thursday, holding placards accusing Russia and Ukraine of being "gas terrorists", the Associated Press reports. | Angry Bulgarians protested in front of the Ukrainian embassy in Sofia on Thursday, holding placards accusing Russia and Ukraine of being "gas terrorists", the Associated Press reports. |
| Other countries reporting a total halt in gas supplies included Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia and Austria. | Other countries reporting a total halt in gas supplies included Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia and Austria. |
| The EU depends on Russia for about a quarter of its total gas supplies, some 80% of which are pumped via Ukraine. | The EU depends on Russia for about a quarter of its total gas supplies, some 80% of which are pumped via Ukraine. |
| Russia cut gas to Ukraine itself a week ago, in the wake of a row over unpaid bills and the expiry of a supply contract. | Russia cut gas to Ukraine itself a week ago, in the wake of a row over unpaid bills and the expiry of a supply contract. |
| But although both countries guaranteed that transit supplies to Europe would be unaffected, they were soon cut off amid mutual accusations between Kiev and Moscow. | But although both countries guaranteed that transit supplies to Europe would be unaffected, they were soon cut off amid mutual accusations between Kiev and Moscow. |
| That acrimonious disagreement over gas prices remains, which leaves the crisis far from settled, the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Kiev says. | That acrimonious disagreement over gas prices remains, which leaves the crisis far from settled, the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Kiev says. |
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