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Russia turning on gas for Europe Russia 'turns on gas to Europe'
(about 2 hours later)
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. Russia's Gazprom company says it has resumed gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine, ending weeks of disruption.
The announcement was made by Sergei Kupriyanov, the firm's top spokesman. A company spokesman told the BBC that full pressure in the pipeline system would be reached by mid-afternoon local time (approximately 1200 GMT).
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko earlier said she had witnessed the gas starting to flow again at 0100 GMT. The move comes after the Russian and Ukrainian prime ministers agreed a new contract on the price of gas.
Millions of Europeans have been without heat because of the dispute which began on 1 January. Millions of Europeans have been without heat after the failure to renew the old contract, which expired 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
"From 1000 [0700 GMT] on 20 January, Gazprom and [Ukrainian state energy company] Naftogaz will start to bring the system into normal operation for supply and transit," Mr Kupriyanov told Reuters. Gazprom spokesman Boris Sapozhnikov said the gas flow was restarted around 1030 Moscow time (0730 GMT) on Tuesday.
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. He said EU-led monitors would track the flow of the gas being pumped into Ukraine.
His comments appeared to contradict those of Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia 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. Ms 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.
  
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