This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27862849

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Ukraine crisis: Russia halts gas supplies to Kiev Ukraine crisis: Russia halts gas supplies to Kiev
(about 1 hour later)
Ukraine says Russia has cut off all gas supplies to Kiev, in a major escalation of a dispute between the two nations.Ukraine says Russia has cut off all gas supplies to Kiev, in a major escalation of a dispute between the two nations.
"Gas supplies to Ukraine have been reduced to zero," Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuri Prodan said."Gas supplies to Ukraine have been reduced to zero," Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuri Prodan said.
Russia's state-owned gas giant Gazprom said Ukraine had to pay upfront for its gas supplies, after Kiev failed to settle its huge debt.Russia's state-owned gas giant Gazprom said Ukraine had to pay upfront for its gas supplies, after Kiev failed to settle its huge debt.
Gazprom had sought from Kiev $1.95bn (£1.15bn) - out of $4.5bn it says it is owed - by 06:00 GMT.Gazprom had sought from Kiev $1.95bn (£1.15bn) - out of $4.5bn it says it is owed - by 06:00 GMT.
The Russian firm said it would continue to supply gas to Europe. The company said it would continue to supply gas to Europe, although Gazprom chief Alexei Miller warned there now were "significant" risks for gas transit to the EU via Ukraine.
Russia-Ukraine ties remain tense since Moscow annexed Crimea in February.Russia-Ukraine ties remain tense since Moscow annexed Crimea in February.
Kiev says Moscow backs separatists in the east of the country. Russia denies the charge.Kiev says Moscow backs separatists in the east of the country. Russia denies the charge.
In other developments:In other developments:
'Blackmail''Blackmail'
"Today, from 10:00 Moscow time, Gazprom, according to the existing contract, moved Naftogaz to prepayment for gas supplies," Gazprom said in a statement on Monday morning. On Monday morning, Gazprom said in a statement: "Today, from 10:00 Moscow time, Gazprom, according to the existing contract, moved Naftogaz to prepayment for gas supplies.
"From today, the Ukrainian company will receive Russian natural gas only in the amounts it has paid for.""From today, the Ukrainian company will receive Russian natural gas only in the amounts it has paid for."
Moments later, both Gazprom and Ukraine's state-owned Naftogaz company filed lawsuits against each other in the Stockholm arbitration institute. Moments later, both Gazprom and Ukraine's state-owned Naftogaz company filed lawsuits against each other in the Stockholm international commercial arbitration court.
Gazprom said it wanted to recover $4.5bn from Naftogaz, which is dealing with gas supplies to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Naftogaz said it was seeking to recover $6bn in "overpayment" for gas since 2010.Gazprom said it wanted to recover $4.5bn from Naftogaz, which is dealing with gas supplies to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Naftogaz said it was seeking to recover $6bn in "overpayment" for gas since 2010.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Ukraine's position on the issue "smacks of blackmail".Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Ukraine's position on the issue "smacks of blackmail".
The latest moves follow crisis talks between Ukraine, Russia and the European Union on the issue. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk accused Moscow of blocking the deal to cause supply problems in Ukraine in the winter.
"We reached no agreement. The chances that we meet again are slim," Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kuprianov said after the latest round of the talks ended in Kiev over the weekend. "It is not about gas. It is a general Russian plan to destroy Ukraine. It is yet another step against the Ukrainian state and against Ukrainian independence."
However, EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger, who attended the talks, said he was "not pessimistic" about a deal. The latest moves follow crisis talks between Ukraine, Russia and the EU on the issue.
"We reached no agreement. The chances that we meet again are slim," Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kuprianov said after the talks ended in Kiev over the weekend.
However, EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said he was "not pessimistic" about a deal.
He said he would continue to work for an agreement despite his compromise proposal, that Kiev pay $1bn on Monday and the rest in instalments, being rejected by Gazprom.He said he would continue to work for an agreement despite his compromise proposal, that Kiev pay $1bn on Monday and the rest in instalments, being rejected by Gazprom.
Mr Oettinger later added that Ukraine intended to fill its gas transit commitments to the EU and he was also confident that Russia would meet its gas supply pledges to Europe. Mr Oettinger added that Ukraine intended to fill its gas transit commitments to the EU and he was also confident that Russia would meet its gas supply pledges to Europe.
Ukraine's discounted rate for gas was axed in April after Moscow accused Kiev of failing to pays its bills. On Monday, Gazprom stressed it would continue to supply Europe with gas at "full volume" and that it was Ukraine's responsibility to ensure the transit.
On Monday, Gazprom stressed that it would continue to supply European consumers with gas at "full volume" and that it was Ukraine's responsibility to make sure the gas transited through the country.
However, correspondents say the EU could be affected.However, correspondents say the EU could be affected.
About 15% of the EU's gas supply is Russian gas which is piped through Ukraine. About 15% of the EU's gas supply is Russian gas piped through Ukraine.
Earlier this month, Gazprom gave Ukraine more time to settle its gas bill after receiving a part-payment of $786m (£469m). Embassy protests
Ukraine's discounted rate for gas - negotiated with former President Viktor Yanukovych - was axed in April after Moscow accused Kiev of failing to pay its bills.
Earlier this month, Gazprom gave Ukraine more time to settle its gas bill after receiving a part-payment of $786m.
Ukraine said it refused to clear its debts completely in protest at Gazprom's recent 80% price increase.Ukraine said it refused to clear its debts completely in protest at Gazprom's recent 80% price increase.
Gazprom ended its discount price for Ukraine, which was negotiated by former President Viktor Yanukovych last December, in April. Ukraine's gas bill was $268 per 1,000 cubic metres until April. The price is now $485.50.
Before the discount was cancelled, Ukraine's gas bill was heavily reduced by Russia to $268 per 1,000 cubic metres. Kiev had earlier said it was ready to make the $1.95bn payment if Russia cut its price to $326.
The price is now $485.50 per 1,000 cubic metres, the highest in Europe. But Moscow said $385 was the final offer.
Almost 15% of gas used in Europe comes from Russia via Ukraine, which is why EU members are taking a particularly close interest in the stand-off, observers say.
The talks that ended on Monday had been brokered by EU representatives.
Heading into the negotiations, Kiev said it was ready to make the $1.95bn payment if Russia cut its price to $326 per 1,000 cubic metres.
But Russian President Vladimir Putin said $385 per 1,000 cubic metres was his final offer.
Prospects of a breakthrough in discussions were diminished in recent days after increasing tension between Kiev and Moscow over the pro-Russian insurgency in the east of Ukraine.
Moscow reacted angrily to a violent protest outside its embassy in Kiev on Saturday after separatists shot down a Ukrainian military plane, killing all 49 people on board.
Meanwhile, Ukraine accused Russia of sending tanks into the east of the country to support pro-Russian fighters.
Are you in Kiev or elsewhere in Ukraine? Are you concerned about the current situation there? Send us your comments via haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk Use the word ''Kiev'' as a heading to your comment.Are you in Kiev or elsewhere in Ukraine? Are you concerned about the current situation there? Send us your comments via haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk Use the word ''Kiev'' as a heading to your comment.