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Russian gas to Europe 'blocked' Russian gas to Europe 'blocked'
(40 minutes later)
Russian gas giant Gazprom says Ukraine has blocked gas deliveries to Europe, dashing hopes of ending a row which has hit several countries' supplies.Russian gas giant Gazprom says Ukraine has blocked gas deliveries to Europe, dashing hopes of ending a row which has hit several countries' supplies.
Gazprom deputy head Alexander Medvedev said Ukraine had failed to carry the gas westwards to Europe after it resumed pumping it across their border. Gazprom deputy head Alexander Medvedev said Ukraine had failed to carry the gas onwards to Europe after it resumed pumping it across their border.
Kiev said it could not pump the gas as Russia had switched the transit route. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko called on Russia to "stop the blackmail" and work out an agreement.
Hundreds of thousands of Europeans have been without gas since Gazprom cut supplies nearly a week ago. Hundreds of thousands of Europeans have been without gas for nearly a week.
Moscow has been unable to resolve differences with Ukraine over debts and pricing.Moscow has been unable to resolve differences with Ukraine over debts and pricing.
See map of affected area See map of affected area
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, at a pumping station on the Russian-Ukrainian border, says the latest twist in the dispute is symptomatic of the total lack of trust between the two countries.The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, at a pumping station on the Russian-Ukrainian border, says the latest twist in the dispute is symptomatic of the total lack of trust between the two countries.
'Limited' supply'Limited' supply
European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso phoned Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to express disappointment at the low levels of gas flowing from Russia and at the apparent lack of access to dispatch centres for EU monitors, EU officials said. European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso telephoned Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to express disappointment at the low levels of gas flowing from Russia and at the apparent lack of access to dispatch centres for EU monitors, EU officials said.
Mr Barroso said he would also discuss the problem with the Ukrainian leadership.Mr Barroso said he would also discuss the problem with the Ukrainian leadership.
Russia shut off the gas to Europe last Wednesday, accusing Kiev of stealing gas meant for other European customers.Russia shut off the gas to Europe last Wednesday, accusing Kiev of stealing gas meant for other European customers.
Ukraine didn't open the route for gas transit - if the system is closed, we can't provide gas Alexander MedvedevGazprom deputy chairman Russian gas ignites tensionsCold comfort for EuropeQ&A: Europe needs Russian gas Ukraine's domestic supply was cut a week earlier.Ukraine didn't open the route for gas transit - if the system is closed, we can't provide gas Alexander MedvedevGazprom deputy chairman Russian gas ignites tensionsCold comfort for EuropeQ&A: Europe needs Russian gas Ukraine's domestic supply was cut a week earlier.
However, in a deal reached on Monday, Russia agreed to resume supplies if Russian and EU observers were allowed to monitor their transit through Ukraine.However, in a deal reached on Monday, Russia agreed to resume supplies if Russian and EU observers were allowed to monitor their transit through Ukraine.
The move was designed to calm Russian fears that Ukraine was siphoning off gas for its own use.The move was designed to calm Russian fears that Ukraine was siphoning off gas for its own use.
Russia said gas started flowing from the Russian pumping station at Sudzha at 1030 local time (0730 GMT) on Tuesday.Russia said gas started flowing from the Russian pumping station at Sudzha at 1030 local time (0730 GMT) on Tuesday.
This was later confirmed by EU monitors, although the amount of gas, they said, was "very limited".This was later confirmed by EU monitors, although the amount of gas, they said, was "very limited".
Mr Medvedev said Gazprom had informed the European Commission it was unable to supply gas through Ukraine because Kiev had not opened any export pipelines.Mr Medvedev said Gazprom had informed the European Commission it was unable to supply gas through Ukraine because Kiev had not opened any export pipelines.
"Ukraine didn't open the route for gas transit...," he said. "Ukraine didn't open the route for gas transit," he said.
"If the system is closed, we can't provide gas. The Ukrainian side cynically informed us that the gas transport system had been reoriented to domestic consumers."If the system is closed, we can't provide gas. The Ukrainian side cynically informed us that the gas transport system had been reoriented to domestic consumers.
"We don't know what to do at the moment." "We don't know what to do at the moment."Thousands of Europeans have been left without gas in freezing temperatures
After the gas was switched on at Sudzha, Ukrainian gas company Naftogaz demanded "the immediate resumption of even supply of gas along all transit routes", saying the amount and direction of the gas had not been agreed by the two sides.After the gas was switched on at Sudzha, Ukrainian gas company Naftogaz demanded "the immediate resumption of even supply of gas along all transit routes", saying the amount and direction of the gas had not been agreed by the two sides.
Mr Yushchenko, speaking in a televised press conference later on Tuesday, said: "Each person living in Ukraine should understand that what has happened between 1 January and now is not the blackmail of our state, it is the blackmail of each of you."
He went on: "What is most important in these talks now is to bring a halt to the political emotions, stop the blackmail and let experts start working out answers [for transit and supply contracts]."
Major shortagesMajor shortages
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.
  
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