Russia and the European Union signed a deal today aimed at restoring Russian gas supplies via Ukraine, whose cut-off has plunged large parts of Europe into a mid-winter energy crisis.
Ukraine has yet to sign the deal, which would allow EU, Ukrainian and Russian observers to monitor the gas flows across its territory and assuage Russian fears that Ukraine is siphoning off fuel for its own use. Kiev denies the charge.
"Let's sign and we will go immediately to Kiev to ask the same of the Ukrainian side. And so we will end the crisis," Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, representing the EU presidency, said after five hours of talks with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
"As soon as the mechanism of control starts working, we will send the gas to the system. If we see that it is stolen again, we will again cut flows," Putin said.
The dispute, which began when Russia and Ukraine could not agree on this year's gas prices, has led to the worst ever disruption of Russian gas supplies to Europe.
The continent relies on Russia for a quarter of its supplies. Eighty per cent of Russian gas to Europe is piped through Ukraine.
Eastern and central Europe have borne the brunt of the dispute, which has shut down factories and left tens of thousands of households shivering in sub-zero temperatures without gas heating. Supplies to 18 countries have been disrupted.
Despite clearing the deal on Saturday, Putin showed no signs of easing his tough rhetoric on Ukraine.
"Our actions do not aim to worsen but rather to improve the situation in Ukraine, to help Ukraine get rid of crooks and bribe-takers and make its economy more transparent," he said.
He said that in addition to monitors from Russia, Ukraine and the EU, specialists from European gas firms would also be included on the team checking flows across Ukraine, something Kiev has opposed. Putin said Topolanek had also asked to include specialists from Norway.
Relations between Moscow and Kiev, already tense because of Russian opposition to Ukraine's push to join NATO, have suffered a further sharp downward lurch.
Russia has accused Ukraine of corruption and stealing gas meant for Europe, and Kiev said Russia's actions amounted to blackmail to extract an unjustifiably high price for its gas to Ukraine.
Even if the gas resumes, it is likely to be delivered only to Europe, not Ukraine, as Moscow and Kiev have yet to agree a supply contract for this year. Russia has repeatedly said Ukraine must pay the going market rate for gas.
Reuters