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Ukraine holds firm in Russia gas debt dispute
An energy delegation from Ukraine arrived in Moscow on Monday for last-ditch talks aimed at resolving a dispute with Russia that could disrupt gas supplies to Europe. Gazprom, Russia's state-controlled gas group, has demanded that Ukraine settle $2bn (1.42bn, £1.37bn) of arrears for gas supplies this year or face a cut-off in deliveries from January 1. On Monday the group warned that it might more than double the price Ukraine pays for gas next year to $415 per 1,000 cubic metres, although Ukrainian officials said they expected the country would have to pay much less.The former Soviet countries are gearing up for a fourth energy stand-off in as many years but have assured consumers in western Europe that supplies will not be disrupted, as happened during a 2006 dispute. Yuriy Prodan, Ukraine's energy minister, said there was still "hope" an agreement would be reached before New Year's eve. Posted by: lotp 2008-12-30 |
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