Russia cuts off gas supplies to Europe

Published on Wednesday 7 January 2009 09:19

RUSSIA cut off all gas supplies to Europe today in a dispute with its neighbour.

Russian gas giant Gazprom stopped sending any gas to European consumers at 5.44am GMT today, Ukrainian state gas company Naftogaz said.

Russia confirmed the cut-off, but said it was Ukraine's fault because it had shut down the last pipeline carrying Russian gas.

Early today, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Croatia, Serbia and Turkey all reported a halt in gas shipments, while France, Germany, Austria, Poland and Hungary reported substantial drops in supplies.

Tens of thousands of people have been left without heat in the bitter winter cold as governments scramble to find alternatives.

Romania's president called Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin aftergas supplies were halted.

Traian Basescu called Mr Putin after a second pipe bringing Russian gas to Romania through Ukraine was turned off this morning.

Romanian economy minister Adriean Videanu held an emergency meeting with producers and distributors to assess the situation. The pipe coming from Ukraine to northern Romania pumped 30% of Russian gas imports.

Mr Videanu said Romania has sufficient gas reserves for the winter. He said electricity and heating plants will use coal and heating oil instead of gas.

Yesterday a pipe bringing 70% of Russian gas to Romania through Ukraine was turned off.