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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. |
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. |