This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7839053.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Russia 'turns on gas' for Europe Russia turning on gas for Europe
(30 minutes later)
Russia's Gazprom company has resumed gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine, ending weeks of disruption, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said. Russia's Gazprom company has said it will resume gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine at 1000 local time (0700 GMT), ending weeks of disruption.
Speaking after talks in Moscow, she said she had witnessed the gas starting to flow again at 0100 GMT. The announcement was made by Sergei Kupriyanov, the firm's top spokesman.
Her comments came shortly after Russia and Ukraine signed a 10-year gas deal to resolve the row. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko earlier said she had witnessed the gas starting to flow again at 0100 GMT.
Millions of Europeans have been without heat because of the dispute which began on 1 January.Millions of Europeans have been without heat because of the dispute which began on 1 January.
See map of countries hit by gas dispute See map of countries hit by gas dispute
EU states import a quarter of their gas from Russia and 80% of supplies come via Ukraine. Almost 20 countries in Europe have been affected by the dispute.EU states import a quarter of their gas from Russia and 80% of supplies come via Ukraine. Almost 20 countries in Europe have been affected by the dispute.
'European' rates'European' rates
"At 0400 local time [0100 GMT] Gazprom started the flow of gas to Europe - we were at the dispatch centre of [Gazprom]," Mrs Tymoshenko said. "From 1000 [0700 GMT] on 20 January, Gazrpom and [Ukrainian state energy company] Naftogaz will start to bring the system into normal operation for supply and transit," Mr Kupriyanov told Reuters.
His comments appeared to contradict those of Mrs Tymoshenko, who said she had witnessed the resumption of Gazprom's gas supplies at a company's dispatch centre at 0100 GMT.
Europe's gas pipeline network Enlarge MapEurope's gas pipeline network Enlarge Map
Mrs Tymoshenko earlier held talks with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow after the two countries' gas companies, Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz, succeeded in hammering out the final details.Mrs Tymoshenko earlier held talks with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow after the two countries' gas companies, Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz, succeeded in hammering out the final details.
Under the deal they outlined, Ukraine will start paying for Russian gas at "European" rates from 2010 while equally charging Russia "market" rates for transit.Under the deal they outlined, Ukraine will start paying for Russian gas at "European" rates from 2010 while equally charging Russia "market" rates for transit.
Ms Tymoshenko says Kiev will pay less than $250 (£175) per 1,000 cubic metres of Russian gas in 2009, although final confirmation of the agreed price has not been issued by either Ukraine or Russia.Ms Tymoshenko says Kiev will pay less than $250 (£175) per 1,000 cubic metres of Russian gas in 2009, although final confirmation of the agreed price has not been issued by either Ukraine or Russia.
Last year, Ukraine paid $179.50 per 1,000 cubic metres, while the current average European price is more than $400.Last year, Ukraine paid $179.50 per 1,000 cubic metres, while the current average European price is more than $400.
  
Back to topBack to top