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Russia has cut gas supply to Europe, says Ukraine
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent07.01.09
RUSSIA was today accused of turning off the gas tap supplying Europe via Ukraine amid sub-zero temperatures.
The latest "gas war" between the Kremlin and Kiev escalated dramatically with reports that homes in eastern Europe were left without heating.
The cost of gas on the wholesale market in Britain also soared, meaning consumers could face even bigger bills.
Slovakia declared a state of emergency as imports plunged and Hungary was reportedly limiting gas used by industry. Austria, Hungary, Greece, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia said their imports of Russian gas through Ukraine had stopped.
Italy said it had received a 10th of its usual supplies.
Germany imports nearly 40 per cent of its gas from Russia, with four fifths of this coming through Ukraine.
Ukraine's state gas company Naftogaz accused Russia's Gazprom of halting supplies to European consumers this morning. The Russians have accused Ukraine of failing to pay its bills and of siphoning off supplies intended for other European nations. Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin said the gas had been stolen "not from Russia but from western consumers because they have bought this commodity and paid for it".
Reader views (5)
I have been told today by a German friend that they have enough gas to last them until the end of the winter...Has anyone in the UK been told the same? Probably not, it might affect the price...
- Jonathan Montmorency, cooden, uk
Europe should cut of all ties with Russia. Play hard ball, it is the only language that that third world country understands.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Isn't it about time Shell owned up to what it is up to? Or is free electricity too much for its poor shareholders to suffer? Google the words Shell Boffin Sinclair. Disgraceful to keep this under wraps to save the dividends of the share-holding of the queen of the Netherlands!!! Don't freezing European taxpayers come before her and other Shell shareholders? Not according to the Shell chairman apparently.
- John, Dundee, UK
Over 200 million Europeans affected, Lives at risk, Industries shut down.
Gazprom is in clear breach of contract with its European customers & significant penalties and consequential losses should be made.
More than this - These actions have been taken when many of the countries affected are suffering temperatures between -15C to -20C - the impact of Mr Putin's instructions to Gazprom's Medvedev are a crime against humanity on a scale that leaves Saddam Hussein looking like an angel.
No business can allow a dispute between one customer affect its contractual relationships with innocent customers.
Putin as the head of State should be put on trial at the Hague and be subject to a global travel ban & arrested if he travels to Europe at any time in the future.
However the EU won't do any of this, and on Monday were playing down the impact of this crisis - to the extent that the commissioner responsible for Energy security in Brussels did not open an email concerning this issue.
Christopher Jones needs a new job.
- Richard Prior, Bucharest Romania
Despite their origins, these Ukrainians want to be part of Europe and sever all ties with Russia, so they shouldn't expect cheap gas - but they should pay their debt to Russia.
- Kathy Doyle, London
