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Putin to face German gas pressure Gas solution closer, says Putin
(about 4 hours later)
Russian PM Vladimir Putin will face pressure to find a solution to Europe's gas crisis during a visit to Germany. Russian PM Vladimir Putin says a deal to end the European gas crisis may be nearer, after discussing the formation of a consortium to transfer gas.
Mr Putin will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has warned that Russia's reputation as a reliable energy supplier is on the line. Speaking in Germany, he said: "We are approaching interesting agreements which could lead to a solution."
Supplies from Russia via Ukraine have been cut amid a contractual dispute. He spoke following meetings with European energy companies which he hopes can enable transit via Ukraine.
He also criticised the EU, saying it had sided with Ukraine in the two countries' contractual dispute.
Mr Putin said it was intolerable that Russia be expected to supply the "technical gas" needed by Ukraine to keep pressure up in its pipes to transfer gas to Europe.
He said a deal was being brokered between Russia's Gazprom and other European firms, including Germany's E.on, Gaz de France and Italy's Eni, under which they would supply the technical gas.
It is not clear whether Ukraine would accept such a deal.
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, following talks with Mr Putin, said moves to resume gas supplies through Ukraine's pipelines could soon enter a "test phase".
Exasperation
No gas is flowing via Ukraine to central and eastern European countries, some of which are rationing gas amid cold weather and diminishing reserves.No gas is flowing via Ukraine to central and eastern European countries, some of which are rationing gas amid cold weather and diminishing reserves.
Bulgaria is seeking emergency gas from elsewhere, Slovakia has warned its electricity grid will soon break down, and some companies in Serbia have ceased to operate.Bulgaria is seeking emergency gas from elsewhere, Slovakia has warned its electricity grid will soon break down, and some companies in Serbia have ceased to operate.
In Germany Mr Putin will also meet representatives of European gas companies, to discuss the idea that they might form a consortium to help operate Ukraine's gas pipelines.
EU governments are becoming exasperated at Russia and Ukraine for failing to resolve their row, despite an apparent agreement to resume transit supplies of gas, reached on Monday, correspondents say.EU governments are becoming exasperated at Russia and Ukraine for failing to resolve their row, despite an apparent agreement to resume transit supplies of gas, reached on Monday, correspondents say.
As the energy dispute between Moscow and Kiev drags on, the Germans are growing increasingly frustrated with the Russians The BBC's Steve Rosenberg Germany could hold key to dealNo clear winner in gas gameEuropeans growing angry over gasAs the energy dispute between Moscow and Kiev drags on, the Germans are growing increasingly frustrated with the Russians The BBC's Steve Rosenberg Germany could hold key to dealNo clear winner in gas gameEuropeans growing angry over gas
European Commission energy spokesman Ferran Tarradellas said both Russia and Ukraine had breached that agreement within hours of it being signed, as "one didn't provide full volumes of gas, and the other didn't allow it to flow".European Commission energy spokesman Ferran Tarradellas said both Russia and Ukraine had breached that agreement within hours of it being signed, as "one didn't provide full volumes of gas, and the other didn't allow it to flow".
The EU's Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and a representative of the Czech EU presidency, Martin Riman, will attend direct talks between the Ukrainian and Russian governments in Moscow on Saturday.The EU's Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and a representative of the Czech EU presidency, Martin Riman, will attend direct talks between the Ukrainian and Russian governments in Moscow on Saturday.
But Mr Riman said "even if they turn on the taps tonight and gas starts to flow, there has been irreparable, irreversible damage done, a loss of confidence in both Russia and Ukraine".But Mr Riman said "even if they turn on the taps tonight and gas starts to flow, there has been irreparable, irreversible damage done, a loss of confidence in both Russia and Ukraine".
So far no other European leaders have agreed to attend the talks in Russia, despite Moscow referring to the event as an "international summit" and President Dmitry Medvedev saying the issue could not be solved without European help.So far no other European leaders have agreed to attend the talks in Russia, despite Moscow referring to the event as an "international summit" and President Dmitry Medvedev saying the issue could not be solved without European help.
The EU's energy spokesman said the EU was taking the lead because "European leaders consider it a European problem that has to be solved at a European level".The EU's energy spokesman said the EU was taking the lead because "European leaders consider it a European problem that has to be solved at a European level".
Germany's Angela Merkel may be best placed to help solve the dispute, because of the good relations between Berlin and Moscow, says the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in the German capital.
But he says the crisis has brought home, again, to Germany and Europe the need to diversify its energy supply.
Have you been affected by this dispute? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Have you been affected by this dispute? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
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