THE EU ratcheted up the diplomatic pressure on Ukraine and Russia yesterday warning their reputation as reliable partners was at stake over the disruption to EU gas supplies.
It also proposed deploying EU monitors to both countries to try to restart the flow of gas to up to a dozen European countries cut off due to their bilateral dispute over unpaid bills.
European Commission president José Manuel Barroso said there would be negative consequences for both countries unless the flow of gas to EU states resumed today.
"If Ukraine wants to be closer to the EU it should not create any problems when it comes to the supply of gas to the EU," said Mr Barroso yesterday in a briefing with the Czech prime minister Mirek Topolánek, whose state holds the rotating six-month EU presidency.
Mr Barroso also warned that Russia would lose out financially from the disruption to gas supplies to the EU, which is the country's largest single customer for natural gas.
Following phone calls with Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko yesterday, Mr Barroso said he had received agreement in principle from them both for the deployment of the EU monitors. Brussels hopes the deployment of monitors will persuade Gazprom to restart the flow of gas over Ukrainian pipelines to Europe as they should be able to clarify who is responsible for cuts in supply.
Mr Topolanek refused to specify what extra measures the EU could take against either country if the flow of gas is not resumed. But Mr Barroso's comments suggest Ukraine's ambition to become a member of the EU will be damaged unless the gas starts flowing.
Senior representatives from Gazprom and the Ukrainian gas monopoly, Nafto Gaz, will appear before the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee today to discuss the crisis.
The EU has also called an emergency meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels for Monday.