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Experts fear gas shortage as Russia cuts off supplies to Ukraine
Jim Armitage02.01.09
Experts were today increasingly concerned about European gas shortages after Russia cut off supplies to Ukraine.
Russia turned off the taps to its neighbour yesterday in a dispute about how much Ukraine should pay for its gas.
Both sides tried to reassure European leaders that their countries would not be affected.
About a fifth of the gas used in Western Europe comes from Russia via Ukrainian pipelines and analysts have suggested that energy-starved Ukraine could divert supplies for its own use.
Jonathan Stern, director of gas research at the Oxford Institute of Energy Studies, said: "Ukraine has the ability, although not the contractual right, to take gas destined for Europe and nobody can stop them."
Ukraine has been drawing on its own stockpiles to meet domestic demand. It is believed to have enough to last for about a week.
The two sides were today preparing to resume talks. A similar dispute in 2006 cut gas shipments to many European countries for three days.
Russian company Gazprom said it had boosted deliveries through other pipelines to Western Europe.
Reader views (6)
I think Russia want revenue from <a href="http://find.com/countries/ukraine"> Ukraine </a> and it is correct in its version all over the time.. The recession is on the peak at the moment and there is no liquidity in the markets anywhere in the world.. The Russian Rubal has gone down by 7% against USA Dollar since November 2008... I don't know how can a nation loose so much money by transferring its one of the biggest assets... There is nothing stopping this recession at the moment but it seems coping against it is really tough task...
- Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine
So David Milliband's new best friends who punch above their weight are now disrupting gas supplies to the West because they cannot pay their bills and Gazprom have terminated their gas supply. Dangling the carrot of possible EU and NATO membership in front of Ukraine have made them behave in this cavalier fashion. What exactly are they bringing to the table if they become members of the EU? Half the country has very strong ties to Russia and a possible EU membership will prove to be divisive and will split the country. There is also the question of Russia's continuous presence in Crimea where they house the Black Sea fleet - will this continue if Ukraine becomes an EU member? Crimea also has the potential to be a flashpoint in the future as the Crimean Tartars, expelled by Stalin, are now returning and want their land returned to them. I think Ukraine should sort out their country and their economy instead of making waves.
- Patricia, LONDON
Another vote for nuclear. The cold snap is sure to show whether there is truth in this. And probably quite quickly.
I want my fair share of global warming and I want it now! 
Nao freezing in Manchester
- Naomi Sajeri, Manchester
What amazes me is the fact that all and sundry thought that the Russian Bear would go quietly into the night!!!??
The fact that the Berlin wall has been removed and "Peristroika" declared does not mean that the nature of the Russian Bear has altered!
The West has not helped by chortling over the belittling of a proud nation, all that has done is to ensure that a tough hard man will do his damnedest to reassert his nations pride, by any means he can, with the full backing of the Russion people!
Now he has the perfect tool with a gas/oil monopoly with which to reassert Russias place on the world stage!
We have had a taster of Russia's determination with the de-facto Palonium poisoning of a person whom dared criticise the Russian Bear!
And there is Jack Schitt anyone can do about it!
I think the West has lost the opportunity to cement good relations with Russia for a very long time to come!
GERONIMO
- Geronimo, LONDON MIDDLESEX
Our dozy "experts" should have seen all this coming down the track and built sufficient storage to cover high demand months.
- Fred, Horsham
Looks like the Russians want to play games.
- Triffidqueen, Desk in London
