Russia says Ukraine to Siphon Gas Meant for Western Europe

Gazprom says Ukraine has informed Russian authorities it will begin Wednesday, taking 60 million cubic meters a day of gas meant for the West.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko says her country will fully meet it obligations to move supplies of Russian gas onward to European customers.

Earlier, the Associated Press quoted an official of Ukraine's state energy firm Nafogaz as saying his country has recently been supplying more than a regular amount of gas to the West, and would now reduce that amount to a normal level.

Russia last week said Ukraine had cleared its 2007 debt. But Gazprom said it is seeking $600 million for gas already delivered this year.

In Kyiv today, President Viktor Yushchenko told Ms. Tymoshenko in a letter that Ukraine's actions to settle the dispute have been "insufficient and inadequate."

The letter, posted on the official web site of the president, urged Ms. Tymoshenko to settle the dispute.

Tuesday, an energy advisor to Prime Minister Tymoshenko told VOA that Ukraine is prepared to pay for the gas it consumes. But he said there is no one to pay, because Gazprom has refused to sign a deal agreed on last month that eliminates intermediaries.

Gazprom said Tuesday that gas cuts to Ukraine would not affect deliveries to customers in western Europe. However, when Russia similarly cut supplies to Ukraine in 2006, shortages were felt in parts of western Europe.

Source: By VOA News