TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Gas Withheld From Ukraine For 3rd Day

ADVERTISEMENT

Los Angeles Times

Published: January 4, 2009

MOSCOW - Fuel delivery to four European countries fell below normal Saturday as Russia's state gas monopoly withheld natural gas from neighboring Ukraine for the third consecutive day.

Ukraine warned that its gas pipeline system could experience "serious disruptions" if a worsening price dispute isn't settled in 10 to 15 days, threatening shortfalls across Europe in the heart of winter. Gas flows to Poland, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria, all of which depend on pipelines that cross Ukraine, slumped on Saturday, officials said.

Ukraine said it had stored up enough natural gas reserves to last for months. But experts had warned that the abrupt stoppage of gas to Ukraine could cause pressure to dwindle in the pipeline system, creating delivery problems for the rest of Europe. Russia's Gazprom said it increased gas flows bound for the rest of Europe through Belarus and Turkey to counteract any troubles.

The Russian-Ukraine standoff appeared to be worsening as Gazprom and Ukraine bitterly blamed one another for the stalled negotiations. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Saturday approved Gazprom's plan to sue Ukraine for failing to keep proper levels of gas moving through its pipelines to the rest of Europe, the company announced.

The European Union called a meeting for Monday to discuss the gas troubles. The bloc has enough reserves on hand to withstand the shortfalls for now.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT