European consumers were hit with a further slash in Russian natural gas deliveries, as a standoff over energy pricing between the Kremlin and Ukraine worsened. The Russian reduction, the second since January 1 by Russian gas monopolist Gazprom, would "begin to cause problems in getting sufficient gas to Europe," in a few hours, said Valentyn Zemliansky, a Naftogaz Ukrainy spokesman. Gazprom cut shipments to just 72 million cubic meters of gas for European consumers, from 260 million on Monday and an average of 300 million previously. Officials in both countries confirmed plans to renew talks on ending the conflict in Moscow on Thursday. But the sides remained far apart on a host of issues, while the steep drops in gas supplies critical for heating struck Europe simultaneously with a vicious snap of cold weather.
The Russian reduction, the second since January 1 by Russian gas monopolist Gazprom, would "begin to cause problems in getting sufficient gas to Europe," in a few hours, said Valentyn Zemliansky, a Naftogaz Ukrainy spokesman.
Gazprom cut shipments to just 72 million cubic meters of gas for European consumers, from 260 million on Monday and an average of 300 million previously.
Officials in both countries confirmed plans to renew talks on ending the conflict in Moscow on Thursday.
But the sides remained far apart on a host of issues, while the steep drops in gas supplies critical for heating struck Europe simultaneously with a vicious snap of cold weather.
By Jérôme Guillet and John EvansAmonolithic, Putin-led Kremlin using the "energy weapon" to browbeat neighbouring Ukraine and beyond threaten the rest of Europe with natural gas shortages: the image has become a commonplace during the "gas spats" of the past few years. Yet those spats have a longer history than is generally appreciated - they began in 1992 - and, what is more, Vladimir Putin and Gazprom cannot win a prolonged gas war, and they know it.
Amonolithic, Putin-led Kremlin using the "energy weapon" to browbeat neighbouring Ukraine and beyond threaten the rest of Europe with natural gas shortages: the image has become a commonplace during the "gas spats" of the past few years. Yet those spats have a longer history than is generally appreciated - they began in 1992 - and, what is more, Vladimir Putin and Gazprom cannot win a prolonged gas war, and they know it.
