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Russia and Ukraine agree gas supply deal Russia and Ukraine agree gas supply deal
(35 minutes later)
Russia has agreed to resume gas supplies to Ukraine over the winter in a deal brokered by the European Union.Russia has agreed to resume gas supplies to Ukraine over the winter in a deal brokered by the European Union.
European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso was due to outline the terms at a press conference in Brussels late on Thursday. The deal will also ensure gas supplies to EU countries via Ukraine are secure.
"There is now no reason for people in Europe to stay cold this winter,'' said European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
European Union energy chief Guenther Oettinger said he was confident that Ukraine would be able to afford to pay for the gas it needed.
He added that the agreement might be the "first glimmer" of hope in easing tensions between Russian and Ukraine.
The deal follows months of talks between EU officials and the Russian and Ukrainian energy ministers.The deal follows months of talks between EU officials and the Russian and Ukrainian energy ministers.
The terms are expected to include EU money to help Ukraine pay off its debts to Russia's gas giant Gazprom.The terms are expected to include EU money to help Ukraine pay off its debts to Russia's gas giant Gazprom.
Gas supplies were halted over late payments when Russia scrapped subsidies given to Ukraine for importing gas, meaning the price paid by Ukraine rose sharply.Gas supplies were halted over late payments when Russia scrapped subsidies given to Ukraine for importing gas, meaning the price paid by Ukraine rose sharply.
However, the backdrop to the row is Russia's conflict with Ukraine and Western sanctions on Moscow.However, the backdrop to the row is Russia's conflict with Ukraine and Western sanctions on Moscow.
Although the impact of the gas ban has been relatively small, it was feared that the onset of winter made the need for a deal more urgent.Although the impact of the gas ban has been relatively small, it was feared that the onset of winter made the need for a deal more urgent.
Ukraine has relied on Russia for around 50% of its gas. Despite storage facilities Ukraine has a winter shortfall of around 3 billion to 4 billion cubic metres of gas, analysts say.Ukraine has relied on Russia for around 50% of its gas. Despite storage facilities Ukraine has a winter shortfall of around 3 billion to 4 billion cubic metres of gas, analysts say.
Russia provides around a third of the European Union's gas, about half of which is pumped via Ukraine.Russia provides around a third of the European Union's gas, about half of which is pumped via Ukraine.