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Russia set to restart gas supply Russia set to restart gas supply
(about 2 hours later)
Russia says it will resume pumping gas through Ukraine to Europe, following the completion of a monitoring deal.Russia says it will resume pumping gas through Ukraine to Europe, following the completion of a monitoring deal.
The state-run energy company, Gazprom, said supplies would resume on Tuesday morning, if there were no obstacles.The state-run energy company, Gazprom, said supplies would resume on Tuesday morning, if there were no obstacles.
Hundreds of thousands of people in Europe have been left without gas since Russia turned off the taps over a contractual dispute with Ukraine.Hundreds of thousands of people in Europe have been left without gas since Russia turned off the taps over a contractual dispute with Ukraine.
The BBC European Affairs correspondent says the underlying causes of the crisis are still unresolved.The BBC European Affairs correspondent says the underlying causes of the crisis are still unresolved.
Disagreement remains over much Ukraine should pay Russia for its gas, and what Russia should pay Ukraine in return for transporting gas to Europe. See map of affected areaDisagreement remains over much Ukraine should pay Russia for its gas, and what Russia should pay Ukraine in return for transporting gas to Europe. See map of affected area
Russia shut off the gas last Wednesday after it accused Kiev of stealing gas meant for other European customers.Russia shut off the gas last Wednesday after it accused Kiev of stealing gas meant for other European customers.
Hundreds of thousands of people in 15 European countries are now hoping for relief, after almost a week of suffering bitterly cold winter temperatures without any heating.Hundreds of thousands of people in 15 European countries are now hoping for relief, after almost a week of suffering bitterly cold winter temperatures without any heating.
'Down to work''Down to work'
Under the deal agreed on Monday, EU and Russian observers will monitor supplies from pumping stations on Ukraine's eastern and western borders, in order to calm Russian fears that Ukraine is siphoning off gas for its own use. Ukraine has denied this allegation.Under the deal agreed on Monday, EU and Russian observers will monitor supplies from pumping stations on Ukraine's eastern and western borders, in order to calm Russian fears that Ukraine is siphoning off gas for its own use. Ukraine has denied this allegation.
Gazprom Chief Executive Alexei Miller told Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin he proposed restarting gas deliveries at 0800 (0700 GMT) on Tuesday.Gazprom Chief Executive Alexei Miller told Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin he proposed restarting gas deliveries at 0800 (0700 GMT) on Tuesday.
Mr Putin replied: "Good, let's get down to work". The six days' war between Gazprom and the EU customers is going to come to an end. Hryhoriy NemyriaUkrainian deputy prime minister Cold comfort for EuropePress cautiously welcomes dealMr Putin replied: "Good, let's get down to work". The six days' war between Gazprom and the EU customers is going to come to an end. Hryhoriy NemyriaUkrainian deputy prime minister Cold comfort for EuropePress cautiously welcomes deal
Despite a deal signed by Russia, Ukraine and the Czech presidency of the EU, it may be some time before supplies return to normal.Despite a deal signed by Russia, Ukraine and the Czech presidency of the EU, it may be some time before supplies return to normal.
Analysts say that in theory, supplies could return to normal within 24 hours but a more likely time frame is 36 to 48 hours.Analysts say that in theory, supplies could return to normal within 24 hours but a more likely time frame is 36 to 48 hours.
Earlier, Ukraine had dropped provisos it wanted to add to the agreement.Earlier, Ukraine had dropped provisos it wanted to add to the agreement.
Welcoming the deal, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Hryhoriy Nemyria said Ukraine had "never been the obstacle for the delivery of the Russian gas to the European Union".Welcoming the deal, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Hryhoriy Nemyria said Ukraine had "never been the obstacle for the delivery of the Russian gas to the European Union".
"The six days' war between Gazprom and the EU customers is going to come to an end," he said."The six days' war between Gazprom and the EU customers is going to come to an end," he said.
Major shortagesMajor shortages
Ukraine's deputy prime minister says joint efforts must be made
The agreement may be greeted with scepticism in some of the hardest-hit countries, says the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Kiev, after the same deal fell through last week.The agreement may be greeted with scepticism in some of the hardest-hit countries, says the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Kiev, after the same deal fell through last week.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had emphasised that Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine would flow only when monitors were in place and a transit deal had been signed by all parties.Thousands of Europeans have been left without gas in freezing temperatures Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had emphasised that Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine would flow only when monitors were in place and a transit deal had been signed by all parties.
While a number of EU teams are already in position, others are not, and Russian monitors have still to deploy to stations in western Ukraine, our correspondent says.While a number of EU teams are already in position, others are not, and Russian monitors have still to deploy to stations in western Ukraine, our correspondent says.
Russia cut gas supplies to Ukraine on New Year's Day, saying it would pump only enough for customers further down the pipeline.Russia cut gas supplies to Ukraine on New Year's Day, saying it would pump only enough for customers further down the pipeline.
But then Moscow accused Ukraine of siphoning off gas intended for third countries and it restricted supplies even further. Thousands of Europeans have been left without gas in freezing temperaturesBut then Moscow accused Ukraine of siphoning off gas intended for third countries and it restricted supplies even further.
Ukraine denied the claim, but the flow of Russian gas ceased completely on 7 January, leaving many European countries with major shortages.Ukraine denied the claim, but the flow of Russian gas ceased completely on 7 January, leaving many European countries with major shortages.
The EU gets a quarter of its gas supplies from Russia - 80% of which passes through Ukraine - and more than 15 countries across central Europe have been hit by the shutdown of Russian supplies.The EU gets a quarter of its gas supplies from Russia - 80% of which passes through Ukraine - and more than 15 countries across central Europe have been hit by the shutdown of Russian supplies.
Serbia and Bosnia-Hercegovina are among the worst hit as many homes rely on heating stations that only run on gas.Serbia and Bosnia-Hercegovina are among the worst hit as many homes rely on heating stations that only run on gas.
  
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