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Russia orders gas supply restart Russia orders gas supply restart
(10 minutes later)
Russian state energy company Gazprom has ordered the resumption of gas supplies through Ukraine to Europe, after they were cut for nearly a week.Russian state energy company Gazprom has ordered the resumption of gas supplies through Ukraine to Europe, after they were cut for nearly a week.
Russian TV stations showed a Gazprom official ordering a resumption of supplies to Balkan countries.Russian TV stations showed a Gazprom official ordering a resumption of supplies to Balkan countries.
Analysts say supplies could in theory return to normal within 24 hours, but a more likely time frame is 36-48 hours.Analysts say supplies could in theory return to normal within 24 hours, but a more likely time frame is 36-48 hours.
Hundreds of thousands of Europeans were left without gas when Russia turned off the taps in a dispute with Ukraine.Hundreds of thousands of Europeans were left without gas when Russia turned off the taps in a dispute with Ukraine.
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, at the Sudzha pumping station on the Russian-Ukrainian border, says the underlying cause of the crisis has not even started to be resolved, and Russia is still not providing Kiev with any gas for its domestic consumption.The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, at the Sudzha pumping station on the Russian-Ukrainian border, says the underlying cause of the crisis has not even started to be resolved, and Russia is still not providing Kiev with any gas for its domestic consumption.
The two countries are locked in an ongoing bilateral dispute over debts and prices.The two countries are locked in an ongoing bilateral dispute over debts and prices.
Rupert Wingfield-Hayes reports from a gas pumping station in Sudzha
Disagreement remains over how 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 how 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 to Europe last Wednesday after it accused Kiev of stealing gas meant for other European customers. Ukraine's domestic supply was cut a week earlier.Russia shut off the gas to Europe last Wednesday after it accused Kiev of stealing gas meant for other European customers. Ukraine's domestic supply was cut a week earlier.
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'
Russian TV showed a Gazprom official, Sergey Pavlov, speaking by phone at 1030 local time (0730 GMT) to a technician from the transportation company.Russian TV showed a Gazprom official, Sergey Pavlov, speaking by phone at 1030 local time (0730 GMT) to a technician from the transportation company.
The official gave the order to resume supplies of 76 million cu m per day through Sudzha for consumers in the Balkan region, Turkey and Moldova.The official gave the order to resume supplies of 76 million cu m per day through Sudzha for consumers in the Balkan region, Turkey and Moldova.
The commission welcomes the announcement from Russia that the gas flow is back in the pipes - our monitors are checking this on the ground Ferran TarradellasEuropean Commission spokesman Cold comfort for EuropePress cautiously welcomes dealQ&A: Europe needs Russian gasThe commission welcomes the announcement from Russia that the gas flow is back in the pipes - our monitors are checking this on the ground Ferran TarradellasEuropean Commission spokesman Cold comfort for EuropePress cautiously welcomes dealQ&A: Europe needs Russian gas
The technician responded: "I have received the order. We are implementing it."The technician responded: "I have received the order. We are implementing it."
Our correspondent says that soon after the announcement, gauges started to show that gas was flowing.Our correspondent says that soon after the announcement, gauges started to show that gas was flowing.
It is not clear whether gas supplies through other pipelines into Ukraine were resumed.It is not clear whether gas supplies through other pipelines into Ukraine were resumed.
The European Commission reacted positively to the news that gas was flowing again.The European Commission reacted positively to the news that gas was flowing again.
"The commission welcomes the announcement from Russia that the gas flow is back in the pipes," spokesman Ferran Tarradellas told AFP news agency."The commission welcomes the announcement from Russia that the gas flow is back in the pipes," spokesman Ferran Tarradellas told AFP news agency.
"Our monitors are checking this on the ground.""Our monitors are checking this on the ground."
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.
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.
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 temperaturesRussian 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.
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. But 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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